Evergreen Natural History Database

Common name(s): Giant octopus, North Pacific octopus

Enteroctopus dofleini resides throughout the North Pacific Ocean, including the Japanese Pacific coast, and the Western coast of the United States ranging from Alaska to California. These are the largest of the Octopoda, and can weigh up to 150 kilograms and have arms that reach 5 meters in length. Enteroctopus dofleini has the capability to change color rapidly due to chromataphore combinations and reflection from iridophores and leucophores, which are located just under the dermis. These, as well as the ability to raise the flesh into finger-like projections, gives the octopus textured skin which mimics the benthic habitat for excellent camouflage.

Reproduction:
Enteroctopus dofleini will spawn at various times of year depending on location; those residing in the northeastern Pacific prefer winter, while in Alaska, the peak for egg-laying occurs from April to May (Paust, 1988). The male has a modified third arm for copulation, called a hectocotylus. Upon mating, males will deposit spermatophores into the mantel cavity of the female; up to 42 days later, she will lay somewhere between 18,000 and 20,000 eggs in a brood cave and will care for them by cleaning and aerating them until they hatch. Upon hatching, the young become planktonic larvae that feed off of detritus matter, and the mother will die. This planktonic stage for the larvae will last from 28-90 days. Enteroctopus dofleini have a life span of 5-6 years (Eisenberg, 1999).

Diet:
Enteroctopus dofleini consume other mollusks including bivalves and octopods, fish, snails and crustaceans. Once the prey has been captured by an ambushing octopus, the meal is taken back to a cavern or cave and is consumed. Shells and other inedible portions of the meal are deposited outside these caves, and are used as signs to find octopods.

Territorial disputes are not reported over these caverns, and these hide outs do not seem to be permanent, with the octopod vacating and finding new caverns every few days or weeks (Eisenberg, 1999).

Additional Resources:

Anderson, Roland C., Wood, J.B., Byrne, R.A. 2002. Octopus Senescence: The Beginning of the End. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 5: 275 - 283.

Last updated Tuesday, September 05, 2006, by Lisa Ferrier