Giant Pacific Octopus
Beautiful, bashful and brainy, the giant Pacific octopus leads a life of mystery. With a personality that's as complex as its appearance, this animal is a master of disguise that can solve a maze, recognize our aquarists, and has the power to jet across the exhibit in a whoosh of water.
Giant Pacific octopuses can open jars, play with toys and even extract food from plastic "prey mazes" created by our aquarists.
Giant Pacific octopuses get "attached" to their aquarists—in a good way. These intelligent animals recognize our aquarists and may even embrace them after a long absence.
Giant Pacific octopuses live in dens or caves and deposit shells and leftover prey items outside in a trash heap, or "midden." Scientists study these "octopuses' gardens" to learn about octopus diets.
Giant Pacific female octopuses prefer life alone. After mating, they live in a cave for seven months, protecting the eggs, and usually die shortly afterward—at only three or four years of age.
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