Enteroctopus dofleini

(Wülker, 1910)

Vernacular names
English : Giant Pacific octopus
French : Pieuvre géante du Pacifique

Classification
Class : Cephalopoda
Order : Octopoda
Family : Enteroctopodidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach an armspan of more than 4 meters and a weight near 70 kg. The biggest octopus species known. Its mantle often has a warty appearance with small horn-like projections over eyes. Coloration dark red to gray.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the coastal regions of Northern Pacific Ocean, from Japan and Russia to Alaska, Canada and USA. Lives in rocky and sandy bottoms in cold oxygen-rich waters, down to 2000 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : This species seems to be locally common but might be affected by water pollution and global warming.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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