Octopus Coloring Pages

What kind of creature is it?

An Octopus is a sea creature with a soft body and eight legs growing from its head. Actually, the legs of an Octopus are called "arms," and each one has many suction cups on it. These suction cups help it grab prey and stick to rocks.

Why does it change color?

An Octopus has an amazing ability to change its body color and pattern to match the view around it. Just like a chameleon, it does this to hide from enemies or wait to catch prey.

It is super smart!

An Octopus is known for being very smart among sea creatures. It can even solve mazes and open jar lids! An Octopus cannot talk like humans, but it can use tools and learn new things.

Where does it live?

An Octopus lives in many different places, from warm seas to cold seas all over the world. It hides in the gaps of rocky areas and coral reefs, and sometimes it hides inside the sand at the bottom of the sea.

Why does it shoot ink?

When an Octopus is about to be attacked by an enemy, it shoots out pitch-black "ink." This ink blinds the enemy so it can escape while they cannot see. By shooting ink, an Octopus keeps itself safe!

How to choose colors: Have fun coloring Octopus's body!

Octopus can change colors freely, so use your favorite colors and your imagination!

• Basic colors: Octopus is often a reddish color, brown, or gray. Start with these colors, and layer dark and light shades to make a smooth blend.
• A colorful Octopus: Octopus can transform into many colors, like pretty blues, pinks, and yellows. A rainbow Octopus or a polka-dot Octopus would be super fun too!
• Eye colors: Octopus's eyes are often gold, yellow, or orange. Use bright, shiny colors for the cute eyes to make Octopus look alive!

How to make it look 3D: Think about shadows and highlights!

Try these tricks to make Octopus's round head and squishy arms look 3D.

• Shadowy spots: Add a little darker color under Octopus's head and on the inner curves of the arms to make them look nice and round.
• Bright spots: Use a slightly lighter color on the top curve of Octopus's head to make it look like light is shining on it.

Tips for enjoying your coloring page!

• Try adding a background!
  • Octopus lives at the bottom of the sea. If you draw rocks, seaweed, and coral in the background, it will feel just like you are under the ocean!
• Color the suction cups carefully!
  • Octopus has lots of suction cups on its arms. If you color each suction cup carefully, your Octopus will look just like a real one!

Is the round part not the head?

When you draw a picture of Octopus, do you think the round part is the "head"? Actually, that is the body (tummy) with organs inside. The real head is the part at the base of the legs where the eyes and mouth are. The mouth is hidden in the middle of the legs, so try to find it!

Is it true that Octopus has 3 hearts?

Humans only have 1 heart, but Octopus has 3 hearts! It has 1 heart to send blood to the whole body, and 2 hearts to send blood to the gills. It can take in a lot of oxygen, so it can move around in the sea without getting tired.

A "ninja of the sea" good at changing forms

Octopus is very good at changing its body color and shape freely to hide from enemies! It changes to look just like rocks or sand to hide. If it is in danger, it spits out jet-black ink to make a smokescreen and run away.