[Lee Stewart]

There are approximately 300 species of octopus in the world. The largest is the northern giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). It normally grows to about 5 m (16 ft) long and weighs between 20 kg and 50 kg (45 lbs and 110 lbs). The largest individual ever observed was 9.1 m (30 ft) long and weighed 272 kg (600 lbs). The smallest octopod is the pygmy octopus (Octopus wolfi). Measuring less than 2.5 cm (1 in) long, it weighs less than 1 g (0.04 oz).