 The common octopus is a poikilothermic, eurythermic ectotherm, meaning that it conforms to the ambient temperature.This implies that no real temperature gradient is seen between the organism and its environment, and the two are quickly equalized.If the octopus swims to a warmer locale, it gains heat from the surrounding water, and if it swims to colder surroundings, it loses heat in a similar fashion.