[33] As the ocean absorbs CO2, it becomes more acidic and lowers in pH. As its common name suggests, this large cephalopod lives along coastlines of the North Pacific Ocean. Details: Not only is this animal large and fierce, but it possesses better camouflage than most land animals, including most species of chameleon, which do not camouflage at all.Unlike the blue ringed octopus, this species does not contain venom nor does it utilize aposematism. Like other octopuses, the giant Pacific octopus exhibits bilateral symmetry and has a bulbous head, eight sucker-covered arms, and a mantle. The giant Pacific octopus or ‘Enteroctopus Dofleini’ is the biggest known octopus species. Image credit: David Scheel, doi: 10.4003/006.035.0206. If changes are possible by the individual, octopuses may be able to adapt quickly to changing climate scenarios. [35] These crabs bury themselves in contaminated sediments and eat prey that live nearby. Scientific Name: Enteroctopus dofleini. Giant Pacific Octopus. While not endangered, the species is likely threatened by pollution and climate change. Scientific name: Enteroctopus dofleni. The giant Pacific octopus lives in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Russia, Japan, Korea, British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. [1] If sea water temperatures continue to rise, these organisms may be forced to move to deeper, cooler water. Stats Common Name: Giant Pacific Octopus Scientific Name: Enteroctopus dofleini Length: Up to 16 feet across The Glass Octopus is one of the two species belonging to the genus Vitreledonella. The giant Pacific octopus is a very intelligent animal that can learn to open jars, play with toys and interact with — and even recognize — its handlers. They have a hydrostatic skeleton which allows them to keep body parts rigid. Its spatial distribution includes the coastal North Pacific, along California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Russia, Japan, and Korean Peninsula. The existence of a separate species has been suspected since at least 2012, when researchers found DNA evidence of a genetically distinct Enteroctopus in the waters of Prince William Sound in Alaska. These responses include jetting water, changing body texture, and other behaviors that are consistently demonstrated to specific individuals. Today I want to write about a really cool octopus, the giant Pacific octopus. However, the giant Pacific octopus is known to live for up to five years. Like other species of octopus, they can change colour and have excellent eyesight. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. Details: Not only is this animal large and fierce, but it possesses better camouflage than most land animals, including most species of chameleon, which do not camouflage at all.Unlike the blue ringed octopus, this species does not contain venom nor does it utilize aposematism. Its beak and radula are at the center of the mantle. Scientific Name Enteroctopus dofleini Range North to Alaska, South to Mexico Conservation Status Not Listed Aquatic Invertebrate. These cephalopods are actually mollusks. The giant Pacific octopus is the longest-lived octopus species, usually living 3 to 5 years in the wild. The availability of appropriate den sites in rocky subtidal habitat may limit octopus distribution and abundance. [16] Hatchlings are about the size of a grain of rice,[19] and very few survive to adulthood. [16], During reproduction, the male octopus deposits a spermatophore (or sperm packet) more than 1 m long using his hectocotylus (specialized arm) in the female's mantle. These eight-footed invertebrates have highly developed nervous systems which explain their capacity to solve puzzles, distinguish shapes and patterns, and even develop short- and long-term memory. There are many characteristics that make it unique. It … A giant octopus (also known as the giant Pacific octopus or as it's scientific name, Enteroctopus dofleini) typically weighs about one hundred and fifty six pounds. An octopus's garden The adult giant Pacific octopus eats a wide assortment of seafood including crabs, clams and other mussels. It was initially referred to by Louis Joubin, the French naturalist in honor of whom the Atlantic Pygmy Octopus got its scientific name Octopus Joubini. The mantle length can be up to 23.5 inches, and the overall length from 9.8 to 16.4 feet. Climate change is complex, with predicted biotic and abiotic changes to multiple processes including oxygen limitation, reproduction ocean acidification, toxins, effects on other trophic levels, and RNA editing. The giant Pacific octopus is the biggest octopus species. [9], E. dofleini preys upon shrimp, crabs, scallop, abalone, cockles, snails, clams, lobsters, fish, and other octopuses. Shifts in available prey may force a change upon octopus diets to other nonshelled organisms. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. It is the largest octopusspecies, based on a s… The giant Pacific octopus is the biggest octopus species. Types. Scientific Name Enteroctopus dofleini Range North to Alaska, South to Mexico Conservation Status Not Listed Aquatic Invertebrate. D&D Beyond However, the Southern Red Octopus is very small compared to the other members of Enteroctopus and only grows up to about 8.81 pounds (4 kilograms) – this is still “big” compared to many other octopus species. The giant Pacific octopus has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List, nor is it protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The scientific name for the common octopus is Octopus vulgaris. An octopus mouth has a parrot-like beak, which it uses to crack open crabs and other hard-shelled animals. Aspects of the Natural History of, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Smithsonian National Zoological Park: Giant Pacific Octopus, "Sizing ocean giants: patterns of intraspecific size variation in marine mega fauna", Walla Walla University Marine Invertebrates Key: Giant Pacific Octopus, "B.C. The giant Pacific octopus grows bigger and lives longer than any other octopus species. This is a very large and interesting critter that captures and eats sharks! [16] The octopus brain has folded lobes (a distinct characteristic of complexity), visual and tactile memory centers. The female stops eating during this care and her life ends soon after the eggs hatch. [21] Giant Pacific Octopuses are commonly kept on display at aquariums due to their size and interesting physiology, and have demonstrated the ability to recognize humans that they frequently come in contact with. In laboratory tests and aquariums, it has been able to solve mazes very quickly and can unscrew jar lids to retrieve food inside. A female giant Pacific octopus named Billye was also seen opening a childproof pill bottle. [30] One study found that higher water temperatures accelerated all aspects of reproduction and even shortened lifespan by up to 20%. Image from Wikimedia Commons. This octopus species is very rarely encountered and the few information scientists have managed to gather […] The size record is held by a specimen that was 30 feet across and weighed more than 600 pounds. During this time, it leads a solitary existence, breeding only one time. Weight: Octopuses average 60 pounds, but they can weigh up to 150 – with an arm span of up to 20 feet across! ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. All About Grimpoteuthis, the Dumbo Octopus, Cephalopod Class: Species, Habitats, and Diets, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College. See other similar octopus products for options with different background colors, and with or without scientific name text. The newly discovered creature was called a “frilled giant Pacific octopus,” though as noted by Quartz, there is no official scientific name for the species at the moment. A giant octopus (also known as the giant Pacific octopus or as it's scientific name, Enteroctopus dofleini) typically weighs about one hundred and fifty six pounds. The Giant octopus is Enteroctopus, and one of its species is the largest octopus.There are four species: the North Pacific Giant Octopus (E. dofleini), the Southern Giant Octopus (Enteroctopus magnificus), E. megalocyathus, and E. zealandicus.. Overview. The Giant Pacific Octopus is very intelligent, with the ability to use tools, solve puzzles and even open child-proof bottles. The frilled giant Pacific octopus. Another difference between the GPO and the other octopus is that the Giant Pacific octopus has … This is the world’s largest species of octopus. [15] In addition, the octopus (along with cuttlefish and squid) are major sources of protein for human consumption. Usually, the octopus flees warm water and dead zones in favor of cooler, oxygenated water, but some populations may be trapped between low-oxygen zones. Calcifying organisms use calcium carbonate to produce shells, skeletons, and tests. It prefers cool, oxygenated water, adjusting its depth from the surface down to 2000 m (6600 ft) as required. Size Range: 3-5 meters and averaging 50kg (110lbs) Identifying Features: Giant Pacific Octopuses as their name implies are found in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. Giant Pacific Octopus Scientific Name: Enteroctopus dofleini Class: Cephalapoda Order: Octopoda Family: Octopodidae This is the largest known species of octopus. Pacific giant octopuses need den cavities in rocky substrata, with access to nearby foraging areas. In the Pacific Ocean it is easily distinguishable by it’s large size and is only mistaken at young ages with the red octopus. Depending on water temperature, the eggs hatch in about six months. In Puget Sound, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted rules for protecting the harvest of giant Pacific octopuses at seven sites, after a legal harvest caused a public outcry. Version 2013.2", "Giant Pacific Octopus Rulemaking Process", "Impact of elevated CO2 on shellfish calcification", 20.500.11755/a8941c6a-6d0b-43d5-ba0d-157a7aa05668, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giant_Pacific_octopus&oldid=991848609, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 December 2020, at 03:21. New Giant Pacific Octopus at the Adventure Aquarium needs a name. Ancient seafaring people were aware of the octopus, as evidenced by certain artworks and designs. The only member of this genus that deserves the common name "Giant octopus" is Enteroctopus dofleini. It is the largest octopus species, based on a scientific record of a 71-kg (156-lb) individual weighed live. It can be found in the coastal Pacific Northwest and is arguably the largest octopus species, based on a scientific record of a 71 kg (156.5 lb) individual weighed live. After reproduction, they enter a stage called senescence, which involves obvious changes in behavior and appearance, including a reduced appetite, retraction of skin around the eyes giving them a more pronounced appearance, increased activity in uncoordinated patterns, and white lesions all over the body. The availability of appropriate den sites in rocky subtidal habitat may limit octopus distribution and abundance. [6] The female stores the spermatophore in her spermatheca until she is ready to fertilize her eggs. For an adult-age giant Pacific octopus, the average weight is 15 kg (33 lb) and the average arm span is 4.3 m (14 ft). [16] They have been known to open tank valves, disassemble expensive equipment, and generally wreak havoc in labs and aquaria. This dependency limits octopus habitat, typically in temperate waters 8–12 °C (46–54 °F). Females do not leave, and die with their eggs at nesting sites. 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