Species: Giant Pacific Octopus

Sometimes called the North Pacific Giant Octopus, The Giant Pacific Octopus lives along the coastal North Pacific region from California to Alaska and even to certain islands of Japan. It is the largest and longest living species of octopus. While most species have a lifespan of approximately two years, the Giant Pacific octopus has an average lifespan of four years. Like other species, they die shortly after breeding, with the female starving herself during the brooding period.

The most distinguishing feature of the Giant Pacific Octopus is its size. The average adult Giant Pacific octopus weighs 33 pounds and has an arm span of 14 feet, although some weigh as much as 100 pounds, and it has even been reported that one specimen weighed as much as 600 pounds, with an arm span of 30 feet.

When at rest, the Giant Pacific Octopus is a reddish-brown color. Like other species of octopus, Giant Pacific Octopus can contract or expand tiny pigments, known as chromatophores, in its cells and change the color of its skin to blend into its environment.

The Giant Pacific octopus feeds mostly on shrimp, crab, abalone, clams, fish, and scallops. There is also evidence to support that these enormous octopuses feed on sharks. To further support the belief that the Giant Pacific Octopus feeds on sharks, consumed shark carcasses have been found in the middens on the octopus.

Highly intelligent creatures, Giant Pacific Octopuses have learned to open jars, mimic other octopuses, and solve mazes in lab tests. Their population numbers are unknown, and they do not currently appear on any lists of endangered or vulnerable animals. However, they are sensitive to environmental conditions and may be suffering from high pollution levels in their range.

300 Octopuses Stretch 2,400 Tiny Arms in Dana Point

From: LA Times, December 6, 2008

Written by: Susannah Rosenblatt

Even eight arms may not be enough to keep up with this brood: After laying eggs two months ago, an octopus at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point has 300 tiny hatchlings. The rice-grain-size baby octopuses have spent their first days of life floating around their tank and eating brine shrimp, said chief aquarium biologist Julianne E. Steers.

Now 4 millimeters long, the creatures can grow up to 3 feet and live for about two years. Their mother, a two-spot octopus native to the California coast, is nearing the end of her life cycle. The species is named for the circular blue spots on the sides of the head.

Steers caught the hardy two-spot in September 2007 under a scientific permit to use it in educational programs at the institute.

She didn't know if the female's eggs were fertilized, and the octopus has had no male companionship since she arrived at the nonprofit institute, which is dedicated to ocean education. The creature can store male sperm for a year or more.

In the wild, just a handful of the young octopuses would survive; Steers is hoping that about 30 of the institute's hatchlings will make it to adulthood, when they will graduate to eating crabs and other crustaceans.

Their mother -- unnamed, as are all the animals at the institute -- tended the eggs faithfully, cleaning and aerating them, without stopping to feed herself, Steers said.

And she didn't have time for her usual entertainment: unscrewing jars to find treats, dismantling Mrs. Potato Head toys and taking apart Legos.

The hatching began Monday and has continued much of the week, with the mother hovering protectively during the process.

Octopus Jewelry from OctopusMe!

Etsy.com is home to famed seller, OctopusMe, who is known for her unique designs made from real octopuses.

Here's what she has to say about her handmade octopus jewelry:

Life on earth began in the Sea. Organisms from every major group can still be linked to those underwater. These beautiful and amazing creatures should be honored and celebrated...

The Octopus is a symbol of Transformation and Regeneration. Because of its reputation of changing colors to match its backgrounds, the octopus is also known as the Master of Disguise. Octopuses also have the power to regenerate. If an octopus loses an arm in battle it can grow a new one. Some can even detach and arm to distract predators and then grow another! Don't mess with the octopus because they can stun or kill you with one poisonous bite. The poison is called tetrodotoxin which is the same as Fugu, the puffer fish served in Japan. So treat your Octopus with Love!

The octopus used in my jewelry is sushi grade. Items have been hand cast in Sterling Silver unless specified otherwise :)

Species: Blue-Ringed Octopus

One of the most intriguing octopuses out there is the Blue-ringed Octopus, a beautiful but deadly cephalopod found in the Pacific Ocean. Here are some fascinating about the Blue-ringed Octopus:

• There are three or four species of blue-ringed octopus; three confirmed and a fourth under study. The three confirmed are the Greater Blue-ringed Octopus, Southern Blue-ringed Octopus, and Blue-lined Octopus.
  
  
• The Blue-ringed Octopus can be found in the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Australia. The Blue-ringed octopus, Hapalochlaena maculosa, can be found only in the temperate waters of southern Australia, from southern Western Australia to eastern Victoria at depths ranging from 0-50 m. Hapalochlaena lunulata can be found in shallow reefs and tide pools from northern Australia to Japan, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Philippines, and Indonesia and as far west as Sri Lanka at depths ranging from 0-20 m.
  
  
• The species is named for the bright blue rings it bears, but while resting it is a pale brown to light yellow color, depending on surroundings. The blue rings only "light up" when the animal feels threatened.
  
  
• Blue-ringed Octopuses are born the size of a pea and grow to be about as big as a golf ball.
  
  
• These tiny killers are among the most venomous creatures on the planet. Despite the poison they carry, they are very docile and will camouflage themselves until provoked to attack.
  
  
• The octopus produces venom that contains tetrodotoxin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, hyaluronidase, tyramine, histamine, tryptamine, octopamine, taurine, acetylcholine, and dopamine. The major neurotoxin component of Blue-ringed Octopus venom was originally known as maculotoxin, but was later found to be identical to tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin which is also found in pufferfish and cone snails. Tetrodotoxin blocks sodium channels, causing motor paralysis and sometimes respiratory arrest leading to cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen. The toxin is created by bacteria in the salivary glands of the octopus.
  
  
• There is no known antidote for their poison, which is powerful enough to kill humans. First aid treatment is pressure on the wound and rescue breathing. It is essential, if rescue breathing is required, that it be continued until the victim begins to breathe, which may be some hours. Hospital treatment involves respiratory assistance until the toxin is washed out of the body.
  
  
• Their diet typically consists of small crab and shrimp, but they may also feed on fish if they can catch them. They pounce on their prey, paralyze them with venom and use their beaks to tear off pieces. They then suck out the flesh from the crustacean's exoskeleton.
  
  
• Blue-ringed octopus females lay only one clutch of about fifty eggs in their lifetime towards the end of Autumn. Eggs are laid then incubated underneath the female's arms for approximately six months, and during this process she will not eat. After the eggs hatch, the female dies, and the new offspring will reach maturity and be able to mate by the next year. Like most octopuses, they have a lifespan of approximately two years.
  
  
• The Blue-ringed Octopus lacks an ink sac and has therefore become a common addition to the marine aquarium. Toxicologists strongly disagree with this practice because of the potential danger to people who are unaware of the potentially fatal venom.

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