Giant Octopus

Octopus punctatus.

Along the Florida reef. (1892), pg. 130. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/23386919The new Giant Pacific Octopus at @NationalZoo has a name! Pandora! nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/PressMaterials/PressRelea... C a charming pic of 1 in #bhlib biodiversitylibrary.org/page/23386919

The bottom arm in this view is the hectocotylus arm (right arm #3) in an Enteroctopus dofleini male of about 50 cm arm spread. Arm #4 is shown above for comparison.

This view shows the hectocotylus arm (right) and a normal arm (left) of a male E. dofleini which is being dissected.

Here is a closeup of the suckers on an individual with about a 1m arm spread.

This view of a dissected E. dofleini shows the salivary glands. The salivary glands of many octopus secrete poison which can be excreted through the salivary papilla in the mouth and used to subdue prey.

This dogfish (Squalus acanthias) skeleton was found outside an octopus den in 2005 by divers. Finders include Jon Mayberry (L), Kirt Onthank (middle), and Nick Marsh

Enteroctopus dofleini in a seawater tank at Rosario. Arm spread about 1.5 meters (Photo by: Dave Cowles, July 2005)