A recent video from the U.S. Department of the Interior showcases a giant Pacific octopus crawling through the tide pools at Yaquina Head in Northwestern Oregon.
The red octopus can be seen hiding just below the surface.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, giant Pacific octopuses may frequently visit this site, but they are rarely spotted. Statistics indicate that they are only detected a few times a year.
In the video, the red octopus is seen lurking just beneath the water, extending its arms forward to navigate through shallow areas. The creature’s head briefly rises above the water’s surface before it completely submerges again.
It then crawls to shelter under a rock. There, the octopus can be observed changing its color and texture from smooth red to brown and then mottled, attempting to camouflage itself.
According to Smithsonian, the giant Pacific octopus and other cephalopod species possess the remarkable ability to change their color and texture due to special features in their skin.
Just beneath their skin surface are thousands of cells that allow the octopus to adjust the type and amount of pigment color or reflect the colors of their environment.
Smithsonian also notes that the giant Pacific octopus is a highly intelligent creature. This intelligence not only enables the animal to camouflage itself but also allows it to mimic other octopus species.
In addition to its intelligence, the giant Pacific octopus is the largest octopus species on the planet. The U.S. Department of the Interior states that while the octopus in the video is relatively small, other giant Pacific octopuses can grow up to nearly 5 meters long and weigh 50 kilograms.
The record size of a giant Pacific octopus, according to a preserved specimen, was 9.1 meters in length and weighed 272 kilograms.
