The common octopus, Octopus vulgaris, has skills to match any modern-day spy. A master of camouflage and renowned for its rapid colour changes, it was quite a coup when Mandy Mortimer managed to “capture” this slippery sleuth.

Any fan of Ian Fleming and his Bond novels and films may be familiar with the octopus as brutal punishers and distributors of death. But how true is this portrayal?

Like most heroes in a spy film, the common octopus has many remarkable traits. It can escape through spaces as large as its eyes, and can adapt its body colour to match that of the surrounding environment within seconds, thus ensuring it’s protected. Octopuses are also fiercely territorial, reportedly fighting to the death to retain ownership of their “hide-outs”.

So, it’s fiercely territorial but does that make it a “bad fish”? No way! Visit the Aquarium and check out the Oceans of Contrast: Atlantic Ocean Gallery to uncover more of its secrets.

Been to the Aquarium lately? We’d love to see what you saw! If you have images that you’d like to share with us, join the Two Oceans Aquarium Flickr group and you could see your picture on our blog!