OPTICAL CONNECTOR AND KEY

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connector that has no need of substantial change in design and that can reliably maintain a connected state. SOLUTION: An optical connector 20 is equipped with a housing 23 for accommodating an optical connector ferrule 22 that holds an optical fiber 21 in a connectable manner, an elastically deformable latch 24 and a key 30 for regulating the deformation of the latch 24. The latch 24 is provided with a projection 24a for engaging with the engaging part 50a of the female part of the housing 50; the key 30 is provided with a body 30a freely movable forwards and backwards in the direction towards the tip end 23a of the housing, and with a stopper 33 connected to this body on the side of the latch 24. The stopper 33 is designed to regulate the deformation of the latch 24 not in the retreated state but in the advanced state.