Two-spot octopus
Octopus bimaculoides
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Octopus & kin
- Ecosystem
- Reefs & pilings
- Relatives
- Squid, cuttlefish, nautilus; Phylum: Mollusca; Class: Cephalopoda
- Diet
- Limpets, black abalone, snails, clams, hermit crabs, and small fishes
- Range
- Central California to northern Baja California
- Size
- Up to 3 feet (1 m)
Meet the two-spot octopus
A two-spot octopus spends most of their time hiding or searching for food on the seafloor. Using their arms and suckers, they can slowly creep or quickly crawl. When in danger, the octopus can jet away into open water.
Did you know?
Glowing circular eyespots on each side of this octopus's head may trick predators and prey alike into thinking that the blue-eyed beauty marks are their actual eyes. Thanks to this diversion, the cunning two-spot octopus lives to see another night while feasting on a shelled morsel.
Conservation
Octopuses are very sensitive to impaired water quality. Many species in coastal waters a receive the toxic cocktail of runoff from industry, agriculture, and municipal wastes.
Cool facts
- Females tend their eggs continuously for two to four months until they hatch.
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