Enteroctopus dofleini

Enteroctopus dofleini, commonly known as the Giant Pacific Octopus or North Pacific Giant Octopus, is a large marine cephalopod belonging to the genus Enteroctopus. Its spatial distribution includes the coastal North Pacific, along California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Russia, Japan, and Korean Peninsula.

Description

Enteroctopus dofleini is the largest species of octopus in terms of total weight and arm span. The average weight of the mature E. dofleini is 15 kg (33 lb), with an arm span of up to 4.3 m (14 ft). The largest specimen of this species to be scientifically documented was an animal with a live mass of 71 kg (156.5 lb).

Habitat and Distribution

The Giant Pacific Octopus is a marine species that inhabits the coastal North Pacific, along areas of California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Russia, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula. They are usually found in intertidal zones or at depths up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Behavior and Ecology

Enteroctopus dofleini is a solitary creature that spends most of its life in a den, venturing out either at night to hunt, or to mate. It feeds primarily on crabs, but will also take a variety of other marine species.

Reproduction

The life span of Enteroctopus dofleini is typically 3 to 5 years. Males die within a few months of mating, while females die shortly after their eggs hatch, as they do not eat during the approximately one-month period they spend caring for their unhatched eggs.

Human Interaction

The Giant Pacific Octopus is often caught by shellfish pots, and is a common sight in public aquariums due to its size and lifespan.

Conservation

The conservation status of the Giant Pacific Octopus is not currently evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the species is not considered to be under threat.

See Also

• Octopus
• Cephalopod
• Marine biology