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.
Exhibit News
Recently, the Monterey Bay Aquarium's giant octopus exhibit has been looking a little like a preschool play session. Several days a week, aquarist Adam Frantz has been challenging the two, 11-pound octopuses with balls, jars with hidden treats inside, and plastic mazes. It’s all part of the Aquarium’s “enrichment program” for these inquisitive and intelligent animals.
Did You Know?
- 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.