Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Sighting evidence at Scoglio del Raviolo, Portofino
Photo: Susanne Spindler · CC BY-NC-ND
Scoglio del Raviolo's rubble fields and undercut boulders host an exceptional density of common octopuses, benefiting from the marine park's no-take protections that have allowed individuals to reach well over 2 kilograms. They emerge at dawn and dusk to hunt crabs and molluscs across the surrounding posidonia meadows, returning to their dens by mid-morning. Divers who move slowly along the bottom are often rewarded with prolonged observation of feeding behaviour and colour-change displays.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Common Octopus is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.