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Enteroctopus dolfleini(Giant Pacific octopus)
Copyright © 2007
Mary Jo Adams
As the largest species of octopus in the world, the giant Pacific octopus can often be identified on the basis of its size. These animals attain an average length of 16 feet (5 meters) from tentacle tip to tentacle tip and weight of 110 lb (50 kg.). In Puget Sound area waters, there is only one other species likely to be found intertidally or in subtidal depths within the bounds of recreational scuba divers and that is the red octopus (Octopus rubescens). Another species, the smoothskin octopus (Benthoctopus leioderma) inhabits area waters but at depths greater than 300 feet (90 meters).
When small octopuses are found, the challenge becomes differentiating a juvenile giant Pacific from a red octopus. Dr. Roland Anderson of the Seattle Aquarium has spelled out a number of features to help accomplish this. One of the more obvious field identifiers involves the general appearance of the skin. Both species have small projections called papillae covering much of their bodies. In the giant Pacific octopus, these are somewhat flattened and oft described as paddle-like.
The skin also appears markedly wrinkled with dark lines marking the furrows between the wrinkles. Papillae on the skin of the red octopus are more cylindrical and pointed, and the skin does not have the extensive wrinkling. In addition, the giant Pacific octopus has one white spot between and below its eyes. It lacks the 3 large pointed papillae (“eyelashes”) seen beneath each eye of the red octopus. Further field identifiers can be found at http://marine.alaskapacific.edu/octopus/fieldkey.html .
Adult giant Pacific octopuses feed on crabs, bivalves, limpets, moon snails, shrimp, abalone, and fish. This species has a life span of 3-5 years and lives from the low intertidal zone to a depth of 5000 feet (1500 meters). This animal has also been known under the scientific name Octopus dolfleini. Other common names for it include giant north Pacific octopus, common Pacific octopus, giant octopus, and Pacific octopus.
This
page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/20/07.
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