Giant Pacific octopus

Enteroctopus dofleini

The giant Pacific octopus is the largest octopus species. It patrols cold northern seafloors with eight flexible arms, excellent vision, and a talent for disappearing in plain sight.

Not a fish · an aquatic neighbor

Water

Saltwater

Cold coastal water around rocky reefs, caves, kelp forests, pilings, and deeper seafloor dens.

Temperature

7–13°C · 45–55°F

A representative cool-water range; this species also travels across depths with different temperatures.

Size

Often up to 23 kg (50 lb) with a 4.5 m (15 ft) arm span

Its arms can stretch across a small room

Lifespan

Usually about 3–5 years

Life expectancy varies with place, conditions, and what scientists have been able to observe.

01 · Signature adaptation

What does it do?

This mostly solitary explorer feels and tastes with thousands of suckers. It can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, jet away, release ink, or blend into a rock when threatened.

Its superpowerSignals from its brain can rapidly change both its skin color and bumpy texture.

02 · Home coordinates

Where does it live?

The northern Pacific rim, from Japan and Russia across Alaska and south along the west coast of North America.

Regions: Northern Pacific Ocean · Alaska · West Coast of North America · Japan

03 · The menu

What does it eat?

Strong arms and suckers seize prey, while a hard beak breaks into shells and flesh.

Carnivore: crabs, clams, abalone, fish, other octopuses.

04 · Remember this

Two wow facts

Tiny beginning

The world’s largest octopus hatches from an egg about the size of a grain of rice and begins life smaller than a fingernail.

Sources [1]

Skin under brain control

It can change color and texture quickly, helping it resemble rocks, sand, or shadow without carrying a shell.

Sources [2] [1]