How Many Hearts Does an Octopus Have?

Giant Pacific octopusThe largest octopus species, the Giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini), in the Primorsky Aquarium on Russky Island, near Vladivostok, Russia.

An octopus has three hearts, facilitating efficient nutrient and oxygen delivery throughout its eight-armed body. It has two branchial hearts, which are specifically tasked with pumping blood through the gills, where the blood is supplied with oxygen. These complement the main systemic heart, which pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the octopus’s body.

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Citation Information
Article Title: How Many Hearts Does an Octopus Have?
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 28 August 2025
Access Date: December 25, 2025