Which octopus species carries empty shells as protection?

The octopus species known for carrying empty shells as protection is the veined octopus.

The veined octopus, Amphioctopus marginatus, is also called the coconut octopus because it collects discarded coconut shells and uses them as portable shelter. It has been observed gathering shell halves from the seafloor, carrying them across open ground, and later arranging them around its body when danger threatens.

This behavior became especially notable because it resembles tool use. Unlike an animal that simply lives inside an object already in place, the octopus transports a useful object for possible later deployment. Researchers observed individuals carrying shells for distances of up to about 20 metres and assembling them into a protective enclosure.

The species is found in warm coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific oceans, where sandy bottoms and human litter can provide suitable debris. The veined octopus is also unusual for its “stilt-walking” behavior, using two arms to move while the other six help disguise its shape. The shells are defensive equipment, not a permanent shell like the one carried by a hermit crab.