11 Obviously Awesome Octopus Coloring Pages
We don’t know about you but, lately, all we seem to dream about are trips to the beach. Or the aquarium. Or out on the boat. Pretty much any activity that puts us in or near the ocean sounds just about perfect! Maybe it was the rough last year we all had or the fact that winter seemed to stretch on forever. But with warmer weather upon us, we can’t wait to get some Vitamin Sea. Of course, one of the most fun things about the ocean is what lives beneath the surface. And of all the creatures contained in those cool waters, we’re admittedly quite partial to the octopus. So you know what we did? We created an entire collection of octopus coloring pages just for you.
Coloring is such an amazingly beneficial activity for your kids. Sitting down with a simple coloring page, whether it’s all about rainbows or cheetah-themed, can offer so much enrichment. To us, coloring just looks like an entertaining thing to do. But did you know that sitting down to color is one of the first tasks that will teach your kiddo how to follow directions and stay focused? For many little kids, it’s their first introduction to a seated, singular activity. Having said that, getting a rough-and-tumble (or simply antsy) kid to be seated and focus on coloring comes with its own challenges. Toddlers are especially “free-range” during their days, often bouncing from one activity to another. The best way to keep them interested in coloring? Find coloring pages that fit their interests!
If they’re dreaming of saltwater like the rest of us, load them up with more sea creatures: shark coloring pages, whale coloring pages, dolphin coloring pages, and, yes, even octopuses. (Yep. It’s really “octopuses” and not “octopi” or “octopodes.” Why? Honestly, even Merriam-Webster can’t give an easy answer.)
Free Octopus Coloring Pages
Octopus No. 1
Did you know “octopus” is actually a pretty broad term? There are about 800 species that fall into the octopus category. They all have eight legs and soft bodies. And inside of those bodies is ink. It comes in red, black, or brown and is actually melanin, which is the same pigment that’s in people’s skin and hair. Pretty cool, right? And here’s a yummy fact: Most of the octopuses we eat comes from North and West Africa!
Octopus No. 2
This goofy guy is just everything. Did you know most octopuses die after mating? The most interesting part of this is that the mother basically starves herself while carrying and caring for her eggs and then, in essence, self-combusts once she’s done her job. Motherhood, right? Like real-life moms, mother octopuses clearly care enormously about their young. Perhaps it’s because they have three hearts (octopuses that is, not human moms).
Octopus No. 3
This guy looks like a cranky fellow! Did you know that all octopuses contain venom? Scientists believe the venom comes from the bacteria found in their bodies. No worries, though; most octopuses don’t have enough venom to hurt you… unless you encounter a blue-ringed octopus, which has been known to paralyze people. However, octopuses honestly pose more of a threat to each other, as hungry octopuses will eat their own. In 2008, scientists observed an octopus attack, suffocate, and eat an octopus they had just mated with. Savage is an understatement.
Octopus No. 4
They may look pretty silly, but the octopus is surprisingly intelligent. Octopuses in the wild have been observed building homes for themselves, and one captive octopus was able to open a childproof medicine bottle to access her lunch. Those tentacles aren’t just for opening jars, either. Back in the 70s, there were World Octopus Wrestling Championships, but it was banned in 1976. In fact, octopuses have all sorts of really cool abilities. For example, the mimic octopus can change its body shape to mimic the bodies of other animals. (Mind… blown.)
Octopus No. 5
Further proof of their intelligence? An octopus has nine brains. Yes, nine! It has a central brain, plus a smaller brain in each of its arms, which allows each arm to perform individual tasks. Maybe someday we mamas can evolve to have those same features.
Octopus No. 6
If you ever find an octopus in the ocean, odds are they aren’t swimming. They usually walk on the ocean floor. This fancy-looking lady looks like she moves at a slow, elegant speed. And she does — most of the time. But when attacking prey or escaping predators, an octopus can propel itself up to 25 miles per hour.
Octopus No. 7
Another helpful tool they use to escape predators? Their ink! As they make their escape, an octopus releases a dark ink. Not only does it obscure a predator’s view and help with the explosive vanishing act, but the ink also irritates the eyes and dulls the sense of smell. It might just be the ultimate escape tactic.
Octopus No. 8
Ever been so hungry you could eat your own arm? Captive octopuses do this when they’re bored. Uh, yuck! On the bright side, an octopus can also regenerate. In other words, they can regrow that lost appendage. It’s no wonder they’ve managed to survive since the Carboniferous Period some 296 million years ago.
Octopus No. 9
No, the term “blue blood” isn’t just a reference to families with legacies in the police department. Octopuses quite literally do have blue blood. While our blood is iron-based, octopus blood is copper-based. The copper gives it a blue hue and helps the octopus better survive in cold waters.
Octopus No. 10
There’s much debate around Ringo Starr’s “Octopus’ Garden.” Some scientists and researchers say octopuses don’t, in fact, have gardens. Others say that they do. Photographs of octopuses in their dens often show that they’ve decorated. These mollusks collect things to keep inside or nearby their dens, seemingly because they like them. Quite garden-like, don’t you think?
Octopus No. 11
Octopuses are probably one of the strangest sea animals in the ocean. They do a lot of weird things, including eating their tentacles. When they are in a boring environment or feel stressed, some consume their own appendages.
Click here to print all of the octopus coloring pages at once!
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