World’s largest octopus – the Pacific giant

Imagine a creature that can change the color and texture of its skin in a second, on top of that it is flexible enough to squeeze through gaps not much bigger than a tangerine and can weigh as much as the average human. The Pacific giant octopus – the largest in the world – is a true phenomenon of nature. Its life in the depths is so extraordinary that it has stirred people’s imagination for centuries, inspiring both fascination and horror.

Where does this underwater giant live?

The giant octopus doesn’t need luxuries – for it, the ideal place is cool and oxygen-rich water. You will meet it in the North Pacific, from the coast of Alaska, through Canada and Russia to Japan. It feels best at depths of 20 to 1,000 meters, where it finds shelter among the rocks from predators.

In these harsh conditions, the octopus is able to make a home for itself. It chooses a suitable place, such as a cave, and cleans up around it, throwing away food scraps or unnecessary rock fragments.

Night is her time – in the darkness she comes out to feed, and her long arms move gracefully, searching for prey. During this time, she can seem almost ethereal, as if she were water rather than a living creature.

An appearance that inspires awe and fear

In terms of size, the Pacific giant octopus has no equal among cephalopods. It reaches an arm span of up to 5 m and weighs about 50 kg, but the record-breakers measured as much as 9 m, and their weight exceeded 130 kg!

The unique structure of representatives of this species is the result of millions of years of evolution. Octopuses have a flexible body that allows them to squeeze through crevices no larger in diameter than their beak – the only hard body structure. Meanwhile, the arms, which are the main tool for interacting with the environment, are equipped with hundreds of suction cups that perform not only gripping functions, but also sensory functions. Thanks to the receptors located in them, they are able to analyze the chemical composition of the environment, which allows them to determine precisely whether an object is edible, threatening or neutral. What’s more, an advanced nervous system, with most of the neurons located in the arms, enables each limb to make decisions independently.

The unique physiological abilities also extend to the circulatory system. Octopuses are the keepers of as many as three hearts – one is responsible for pumping blood to the entire body, and two additional hearts are responsible for oxygenating blood flowing through the gills. When swimming, the main heart stops working, which reduces the strain on the circulatory system and allows more efficient use of energy.

The eyes of the giant octopus are among the most advanced in the animal kingdom. They allow them to see in varying light conditions, as well as color perception and polarization of light. As a result, they can easily see both a predator and potential prey even in almost total darkness.

An additional feature that ensures their survival is their ability to regenerate lost limbs. If a tentacle is damaged or cut off, the octopus is able to fully reconstitute it within a few months. This unique property significantly increases its chances of survival in the demanding ocean environment.

Camouflage and intelligence tools for survival

Octopuses are masters of camouflage. Thanks to special pigment cells contained in their skin (chromatophores), they can change color and pattern, perfectly matching their surroundings. But that’s not all – they can also change the texture of their skin, resembling coral, rocks or sand.

The intelligence of octopuses amazes scientists. They can open jars, solve puzzles and remember patterns. In laboratories, they have been observed using tools – shells, for example – for protection or hunting. This proves that these animals are much smarter than we might think.

The daily life of an octopus

The diet of the giant octopus includes crabs, clams, fish and other cephalopods. It hunts cleverly, using its suckers and arms to grab prey, and splitting their carapaces with its beak. It also sometimes falls prey to larger predators itself, such as seals, whales and sharks.

In a threatening situation, it can escape instantly, leaving behind a cloud of ink that acts as a smokescreen.

The cycle of life – a story full of sacrifice

The life of the giant octopus is short but intense – lasting 3 to 5 years. The key stage in the female’s cycle begins when she reaches sexual maturity. Then she lays up to 100,000 tiny eggs, carefully arranging them in her hiding place. But this is just the beginning.

For several months she constantly takes care of her future offspring – ventilates the water, cleans the eggs and guards them from predators. During this time she does not eat or leave her hiding place, which leads to the gradual destruction of her body. When the young finally hatch, the female dies.

Photo. main: Mikhail Preobrazhenskiy / Unsplash