East Pacific Red Octopus

This individual is trying to sneak away through the intertidal algae. Dave Cowles, San Simeon, CA 1997

This individual has about a 20 cm arm spread. Captured near Rosario. This individual is a male. It usually keeps its hectocotylus arm coiled, as can be seen on the left in this view. The hectocotylus arm is the third arm on the animal's right side. The first and second arms on the right are straight and the third arm is coiled in this view. Photo by Dave Cowles, June 2006

Octopus rubescens from intertidal, San Simeon, Ca (Photo by: Dave Cowles May 1997). Caution: This species often bites!