Giant Pacific Octopus

The Giant Pacific Octopus is an amazing animal.  Here is the internal anatomy:

Source - Hatfield Marine Science Center

To watch an octopus in action, HMSC's Octo Cam:
http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor/octocam

A talk on Octopus Day that is on my list to watch

My favorite new website on cephalopods, which I have yet to spend the hours and days necessary to give justice to:

Cephalove

http://cephalove.southernfriedscience.com/

Giant Pacific Octopus Beak

Aurora, Giant Pacific Octopus in the tank at Hatfield Marine Science Center

The days my sons were born aside, today was pretty much the most perfect day ever.  I asked if I could touch the Giant Pacific Octopus in the front display tank because McKenzie had opened it up for some of the visitors earlier and I was dying for a turn.  So, after we closed, McKenzie, Nick, Diana and I played with Aurora.  Nick had to leave to spend time with his family after a few minutes so he missed most of the excitement.  So the 3 of us girls spent over an hour and a half hanging out with this incredible animal who was interacting really well with us.
Wow. wow. wow.

VIDEO!  I have a video... but I'm keeping you in suspense.  Great pictures first, awesome video at the end.  (Pictures taken by myself using HMSC's camera, and McKenzie using her phone.)  Enjoy!  Post comments!

Aurora anchored herself between this rock and the glass of the tank on the left

Giant Pacific Octopus suckers in various stages of suction or curling

Octopus suckers detail

Octopus skin with stripes

View of upside-down octopus under the water

My fingers touching the skin of the octopus

Look at that detail and texture!  Octopuses have
amazing camouflage abilities

A different color and texture of octopus camouflage

Holding on to my fingers with those tiny suckers

Diana and me with Aurora

Close up texture - the skin is so soft and loose but then it can change its
texture like this

Skin between arms showing the thin smooth skin

Octopus siphoning water over its beak at the surface of the tank

Octopus beak peaking out of mouth

Octopus mouth with open beak peaking inside

Octopus beak exerted

Octopus open beak in mouth, siphon on the left

The money shot! Giant Pacific Octopus with exerted and open beak and siphon

Here is the video of the Giant Pacific Octopus showing her beak and opening and closing it.  Also a bonus siphoning water on HMSC's camera you see me using (which was waterproof- whew!).  McKenzie shot this video on her phone.  And it. is. awesome.

Thanks for joining me for this adventure I was so blessed to have.  Leave a comment!  Thanks.