Check out this amazing video that two Grouper Moon scientists, Hal Peterson and Steve Gittings, filmed this morning. They were walking along the beach after our morning dive on the SPAG and spotted this young octopus in the turtle grass!! It is an incredible display!! What do you think?
Where were you when you saw the octopus
Hi Addie! We were just outside of the house I’m staying at. Remember when I panned the camera around to the water behind me during out web chat? It was right out there!
How fast can that octopus change color?
Is it usually found in the Turtle grass?
Wow Todd really cool, how big is it
how deep is the water where it is swimming?
Hi Brennan!! It is a young octopus and was only about 10 inches long. THey can get up to two or three times that size. And it was in very shallow water. Only a few inches deep!
How do you know that it is angry?
They will shoot out their ink when they are provoked, and this octopus did it twice.
Did the ink stink? and it blended in so well
I couldn’t smell the ink, so I’m not sure. But isn’t it amazing how quickly it can change colors and camouflage itself?!!
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was soooo cool! how fast can it go?
I think they’re pretty cool too! They can go quite fast, thought I’m not sure exactly how fast. However, I do know they use jet propulsion to swim! Pretty awesome!
what kind and how big is the octopus?
It is a Caribbean Reef Octopus and it is about 10 inches long. However, this is a juvenile. They can get up to 23 inches long!
Cool!
What kind of octopus is this?
Also, how long does it take for the ink to regenerate?
It is a Caribbean Reef Octopus…however, I don’t know how long it takes them to make ink. I will ask around and get back to you!
Hi, I’m wondering if the turtle grass is a normal place for the octopus to be? I wish I was there too!
Is the ink release part of its jet propulsion?
What are its predators? Brennan thinks the Moray Eel is a predator.
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How long does a Caribbean Octopus live?
Is it male or female? How can you tell?
How does it change colors so quickly? Does it have something to do with its skin?
How fast can it change color?
Are there any colors it cannot change to?
Can it use its ink for hunting or is it just for defense?
How many types of octopus are there in the Caribbean?
Do juveniles look different from adults, other than size?
do groper eat octopus
They could certainly eat a smaller one!
HE SO CUTE!!! 🙂
How old is it?
I want an answer Todd
Is it hard to swim in such shallow water Todd?!