Giant Pacific Octopus

Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)

Octopus at the Oregon Offshore site, 600 m beneath the oceans’s surface. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI, V21.

These large octopuses can grow up to 33 lb, with an arm span up to 4.3 m (14 ft). They are commonly found in the coastal North Pacific, and prey on shrimp, crabs, scallop, abalone, cockles, snails, clams, lobsters, fish, squid, and other octopuses. Giant Pacific octopuses are considered to be long-lived compared to other species, with lifespans typically 3–5 years in the wild. They have been seen around the OOI Endurance Offshore infrastructure (600 meters depth), occasionally on top of or inside the benthic experiment packages (BEP).

Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Pacific_octopus

Octopus at the Oregon Offshore site, 600 m beneath the oceans's surface. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI, V21.
Octopus at the Oregon Offshore site, 600 m beneath the oceans's surface. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI, V21.
A octopus rests atop Primary Node PN1B at 1200 m water depth. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V22.
A octopus rests atop Primary Node PN1B at 1200 m water depth. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF; V22.
A stubborn octopus sits on the BEP, patiently waiting for the Jason ROV to finish operations. Credit: J. Wilson, University of Washington, V21.
A stubborn octopus sits on the BEP, patiently waiting for the Jason ROV to finish operations. Credit: J. Wilson, University of Washington, V21.
An clings to a BEP at the Oregon Offshore site (600 m) as seen from the Jason control van. Credit: N. Zachod, University of Washington, V21.
An clings to a BEP at the Oregon Offshore site (600 m) as seen from the Jason control van. Credit: N. Zachod, University of Washington, V21.
A giant Pacific octopus encountered during a site survey between the Oregon Offshore 2-legged mooring leg anchor and the low-voltage node LV01C. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1752, V14.
A giant Pacific octopus encountered during a site survey between the Oregon Offshore 2-legged mooring leg anchor and the low-voltage node LV01C. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1752, V14.
A well-camouflaged octopus encountered during a survey at the Oregon Shelf site (80 meters water depth). Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1756, V14.
A well-camouflaged octopus encountered during a survey at the Oregon Shelf site (80 meters water depth). Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1756, V14.
Juvenile giant pacific octopus rests on the side of a junction box. Credit: A. Jenkin, University of Washington; V23.
Juvenile giant pacific octopus rests on the side of a junction box. Credit: A. Jenkin, University of Washington; V23.
The juvenile giant pacific octopus hangs out on a junction box. Credit: A. Jenkin, University of Washington; V23.
The juvenile giant pacific octopus hangs out on a junction box. Credit: A. Jenkin, University of Washington; V23.
Phone screenshot from a control van monitor of a Juvenile Giant Pacific Octopus on new junction box during survey on Dive J2-1541. Credit: A. Simmen, University of Washington; V23.
Phone screenshot from a control van monitor of a Juvenile Giant Pacific Octopus on new junction box during survey on Dive J2-1541. Credit: A. Simmen, University of Washington; V23.
A Giant Pacific Octopus claimed this cable-laying platform near primary node PN1D, near the Oregon Shelf (80 m) site. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI, J2-1529, V23.
A Giant Pacific Octopus claimed this cable-laying platform near primary node PN1D, near the Oregon Shelf (80 m) site. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI, J2-1529, V23.