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Giant Pacific octopus

Enteroctopus dofleini

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Fun Facts

GPOs have special skin cells called chromatophores that help them change colors to blend in with their surrounding environment.

Species Type:

Octopus & Kin

Common Name(s):

Giant Pacific octopus

Size:

A GPO's wingspan can reach anywhere from 7 feet (2 meters) to 13 feet (4 meters) in length.

Diet:

GPOs are not picky when it comes to their food. They eat crabs, shrimps, clams and other hard-shelled creatures.

Range & Habitat:

GPOs live in water as deep as 4,900 feet (1,500 meters), and occasionally they can be found in shallow tide pools, in the northern Pacific Ocean.

Details:

Giant Pacific octopuses (GPOs) are the largest octopus species in the world—some have grown to 600 pounds! They are reddish-brown and can change color and texture to blend in. Their eight arms can have more than 2,000 suckers combined, giving them a powerful grip. These smart invertebrates can solve puzzles and even recognize human caregivers.