The giant Pacific octopus is the largest octopus species in the world, with eight arms, each covered with more than 280 suction cups (about 2,240 in total). These suction cups are covered in taste buds, so if an octopus touches something, it tastes it. The octopus can crack open crabs and other hard-shelled aquatic animals using its parrot-like beak, which is the only hard part of its body. Since the rest of its body is soft and squishy, an octopus can squeeze through any opening bigger than its beak –about the size of a quarter.