The Sydney Octopus (Octopus tetricus) is an exceptionally common species in Australia along the New South Wales coast. It belongs to the octopus family Octopodidae. It can be commonly found in amongst rubble in the sponge gardens and seagrass beds of coastal estuaries where they can be found hiding in their lair. The lair of the species is easily identified by the bivalve shells that are scattered around its entrance. Divers will often see the octopus with their head protruding from the lair and the octopus will retreat down its burrow if it feels threatened. The species can also be found on rocky coastal reefs to depths of 40 metres.
The Sydney Octopus feeds on shellfish. It drills through the shell and poisons the contents, pulls the shell apart and then eats the paralysed contents. It is more active at night as it will leave its lair and search the surrounds for crustaceans and shellfish to feed on. A favourite food source of the Sydney Octopus is rock lobster, especially small juvenile lobsters. The Sydney Octopus can be easily identified by its white eye and it is generally grey to brown in colour with orange arms. The species can grow quite large with an armspan that reaches more than 2 metres.
