They are constantly changing their color style, can squeeze through tiny crevices, are masters of disguise and will go to great lengths to grab a bite.
The Aquarium of the Bay recently welcomed a new giant Pacific octopus to its underwater world, courtesy of a local crab fisherman. Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Bay
By Kati Schmidt
Published: April 1, 2011
Giant Pacific octopuses are professionals at the art of disguise. By stretching or squeezing their skin, which contains millions of elastic cells with colored pigments, they can change color within a fraction of a second. When threatened, the animal emits an ink, providing a smokescreen of sorts for it to avoid predators. An ink cloud called a pseudo-morph can also be released that takes the shape of the octopus, providing a clever escape route.
With no skeleton to get in its way, giant Pacific octopuses can also squeeze their bodies into incredibly small spaces—any space larger than its powerful beak is fair game. The animals are also considered the most intelligent of all invertebrates. Finding their way through mazes, unscrewing jar lids or, as last year’s competition proved, choosing the winner of World Cup matches are all part of an octopus’ many talents. Aquarists at Aquarium of the Bay provide the animals with an array of enrichment objects such as Rubik’s Cubes to keep their brain muscles pumping strongly.
Connecting visitors with these highly intelligent and fascinating underwater inhabitants, Aquarium of the Bay recently welcomed a new giant Pacific octopus to its near-shore tunnel exhibit. Like others of its kind, the animal came to the Aquarium in a roundabout fashion, by way of a local crab fisherman.
Giant Pacific octopuses dine on a wide range of seafood including clams and other mussels, but have a particular hankering for crabs. With their love for crabs, coupled with a sweet spot for den-like enclosures, octopuses often mistake crabber’s nets as hunting and hiding ground, where they can be accidentally caught. If the octopus kills and eats the crabber’s catch, many fishermen respond by killing the octopus. Aquarium of the Bay works with local fishermen to change this behavior by purchasing the octopuses for exhibit, where they help strengthen visitors’ connection to the animals. The Aquarium’s husbandry team posts fliers around local piers and tackle stores, alerting crabbers of this opportunity.
“Aquarium of the Bay is always happy to provide a safe haven for octopuses that would otherwise meet a hasty demise,” says Christina Slager, director of husbandry for Aquarium of the Bay.
When it comes to mating, giant Pacific octopuses are terminal spawners, which means females only have one opportunity to reproduce. They typically mate closer to the end of their fairly short lifespan, which on average is only five years. Luckily, octopuses lay anywhere from 18,000 to 74,000 eggs, helping to strengthen the vitality of the species. While waiting for her eggs to hatch, the mother remains with the eggs and does not eat, staying to protect her babies at all times. Mother octopuses typically die shortly after their babies hatch.
Aquarium of the Bay’s newest giant Pacific octopus—a true testament to its name, weighing over 80 pounds—joins three others in the Aquarium’s near-shore tunnel exhibit. Find the animal during your next Aquarium visit, or learn more at www.aquariumofthebay.org.
Kati Schmidt is the Public Relations Manager for Aquarium of the Bay and The Bay Institute, nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting, restoring and inspiring conservation of San Francisco Bay and its watershed. A Bay Area native and aspiring Great American novelist, Kati enjoys the professional and personal muses found from strolling and cycling along, and occasionally even swimming in San Francisco Bay and beyond.
Aquarists at Aquarium of the Bay provide the animals with an array of enrichment objects such as Rubik’s Cubes to keep their brain muscles pumping strongly. Photo by CJ Slager
