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Animal Encounters

Get up close with the animals that call Mystic Aquarium home!

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Enteroctopus dofleini

Giant Pacific Octopus

Size

Average is 30 lbs w/ 14 ft arm span. Larger individuals can be up to 110 lbs w/ 20 ft arm span. Some have been found to be over 500 lbs w/ 30 ft arm span. Growth is dependent on water temperature.

Diet

Shellfish, mollusks including other octos, a variety of fish including small sharks and even birds.

Habitat

Can be found in the intertidal areas and all the way to 2000 m in the Pacific Ocean.

Range

Typically found near the coasts of the United States, Russia & Japan.

Conservation Status

Lc

Least Concern

Nt

Near Threatened

Vu

Vulnerable

En

Endangered

Cr

Critical

Lw

Extinct in Wild

Ex

Extinct

The giant Pacific octopus, the largest octopus species, has up to 2,240 extraordinarily complex sensory suction cups that can taste, smell, and grab! Unlike humans who have iron-based blood, octopuses have copper-based blood with hemocyanin to transport oxygen around their bodies.

Giant Pacific Octopus Quick Facts

Size

Average is 30 lbs w/ 14 ft arm span. Larger individuals can be up to 110 lbs w/ 20 ft arm span. Some have been found to be over 500 lbs w/ 30 ft arm span. Growth is dependent on water temperature.

Color

Giant Pacific octopus is usually reddish-brown in color.

How many brains do they have?

They have nine brains! One central brain and 8 mini-brains.

One central brain makes the big octopus's life decisions, while the smaller brains are a cluster of neurons that lets them control each of their arms independently.