Octopuses are creatures that continue to surprise with their dexterity and intelligence. With a physical composition that defies everything we know as they have three hearts and eight brains, octopods are crowned the kings of marine mystery. It is believed that there could be close to 800 species of octopuses, of which we only know 248. But among all of them there is one that stands out for its large size, the giant Pacific octopus.
What is the largest octopus in the world?
As its name suggests, the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus in the world. As far as we know, the average size of an octopus of this species is around 5 meters and 50 kilograms in weight. However, specimens have been found that far exceed such estimates.
The largest specimen found so far measured 9 meters wide and weighed about 300 kilograms. It is not known if giants larger than this could exist in the depths, surpassing what we know about cephalopods. But in the case of an ecosystem of which we have only explored 5%, it is likely that unimaginable creatures live in the depths.
This species is distributed throughout the temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean. In length they extend from southern California and all the way to Alaska. And west to east from the Aleutian Islands to Japan. Regarding its diet, the giant Pacific octopus feeds mainly on fish, lobsters and clams. Although there are records that they can also devour sharks and birds, using their tentacles as their main weapons.
How long do giant octopuses live?
Nature has a firm purpose that it pursues at all costs; survival. Most animals are governed by this premise and that is why they die after their reproductive age has concluded. Man is the exception to this rule, but it is believed that it is because grandmothers play an important role in the survival of their grandchildren and thanks to this, the average lifespan of humans is so long after they have concluded their reproductive age.
But in giant octopuses the premise is true, since they only live about four years. Both the male and the female die shortly after breeding. In fact, it is said that females commit suicide after leaving offspring, because during the eight months of the incubation period for their young, they put so much effort into caring for them that they stop eating to the point of starvation.
Perfect camouflage
Like other octopods, the giant Pacific octopus has the ability to camouflage itself with its surroundings. They are capable of changing color and also imitating textures by activating certain muscles in their skin that give them a rough appearance. Thanks to this, they can be camouflaged with corals, plants and even rocks with much more complex designs.
The giant Pacific octopus has captivated biologists who are still trying to investigate how they function in the deep sea. But they are undoubtedly amazing creatures that challenge our understanding of fauna. Knowing about them is a way to educate ourselves about their importance and in some way, contribute to their preservation.