Kingdom Animalia Class Cephalopoda Family Octopodidae | Phylum Mollusca Order Octopoda Genus Octopus | |
Similar California two‑spot octopus, Caribbean reef octopus, Atlantic pygmy octopus, Blanket octopus, East Pacific red octopus | ||
The larger Pacific striped octopus is a species of octopus that has received recent media attention for to its intelligence and gregarious nature.
Unlike other octopus species which are normally solitary, the larger Pacific striped octopus is reported as forming groups of up to 40 individuals.
And while most octopuses are cannibalistic, and have to exercise extreme caution while mating, these octopuses mate with their ventral sides touching, pressing their beaks and suckers together in an intimate embrace.
The larger Pacific striped octopus is very different from other species in other ways as well. While most octopus species reproduce only once before entering "senescence" and dying, mothers in this species can mate and gestate many times throughout their lives.
The larger pacific striped octopus has only been seen in a few locations off Nicaragua in murky intertidal waters near the mouths of rivers. This is a very rare octopus.
Larger pacific striped octopus display while female watches
