Pacific Giant Octopus

About the Pacific Giant Octopus• The Pacfic Giant octopus is it’s common name, its

scientific name is Enteroctopus dofleini.• Adults usually weigh up to 33 lbs and have a arm span

of almost 14ft.• These octopus eat by attaching food to their suckers

(Shrimp, crabs, scallop, fish) and then crushing it with its beak.

• These octopus only have about a 3-5 year life span.• These octopus lay hundreds and thousands of eggs and

females are very protective of their eggs, usually would die for them.

• It is not known if these species are endangered or not, there is very little known to scientists about their population.

Habitat

• Pacific Giant octopus are located in the North Pacific Ocean usually found at a depth of about 215ft, but can live in much shallower and deeper waters.

• These octopus are masters of camouflage and blend into rocks or other surrounding to hide from predators.

• Predators include animals such as Harbor seals, sea otters, and sperm whales.

Intresting Facts

• People used to use these octopus for activites such as Octopus Wrestling, Divers would actually try and wrestle with the octopus and try to catch them.

• This became an annual event back in the 1960’s and was actually televised and attracted up to 5,000 spectators.

• Trophies were awarded to the divers with the largest octopus and the octopus were either given to local aquariums, eaten, or returned to sea.

More interesting facts

• Octopus are also known to prey on small sharks.

• Mature Pacfic Giant octopus have 280 suckers on each army, so in all the have 2240 suckers.

• Octopus are highly intelligent creatures. Giant Pacific octopus have learned to open jars, mimic other octopuses, and solve mazes in lab tests.

Harbor Seals

About the Harbor Seals• Harbor Seals also known as phoca vitulina, are known

as the common seal is usually found around The artic and pacific coastlines, and are also found in Baltic and north seas.

• Common seals are brown, tan, or grey with a destinctive V-shaped nostril.

• Adults can grow up to about 6ft long and weigh up to 290lbs and have a common life span of about 30-35 years.

• Harbor seals prey commonly upon fish such as squid, shrimp, sea bass, cod, and other types of fish. They are also known to attack, kill and sea sea birds.

• This Specie of Harbor Seal is not endangered in any way in fact they are listed under the “Least Concern” category.

Habitat

• Harbor Seals are located all over both in the Atlantic and Pacific ocean coast lines.

• Their Resting sites consist of rugged, or rocky coasts.

• Some also rest on sandy beaches, Many have been spotted on the coast of New England beaches

• Harbor Seals usually give birth to their pups on shore.

Interesting Facts

• Harbor seals are able to dive up to about 1500ft under water for about 10 mins In search for food, but most dives are for about 3 mins at depths of about 66ft under water.

• In the UK in 2007 there was a call for better seal protection, because animal groups claimed thousands of seals were being killed by fishing.

• Pups and mothers become separated very early because of beachgoers which gives the pups a very low chance of survival.

• It is believed that Harbor Seals are color blind.