Octopus Cave

Tucked into one of our dark caves is our giant Pacific octopus exhibit. Known as the GPO for short, the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is aptly-named, with the largest one caught weighing in at nearly 600 pounds (272 kg). The octopus we have on exhibit is usually much smaller, ranging in size from 20-60 pounds. When visiting this exhibit, be patient and look carefully. This shy animal will often hide in the dark nooks and crannies of the underwater cave. You may have to flex your powers of observation to find it.

Few sea creatures have stimulated as much fascination and dread among human beings as this cephalopod, due largely to the animal’s almost alien-like appearance. Their brightly-colored wrinkled skin, bulbous eyes and swirling tentacles covered in suckers is enough to make even the heartiest Aquarium visitors take a step back. But our emotional reaction to the octopus’s appearance has also contributed to our human tendency to both misunderstand and under-appreciate this important ocean predator.

Giant Pacific octopuses are found along the western coast of North America from Alaska to Southern California. They live along rocky shores and in tide pools where they search for crab, scallops, clams and other crustaceans. Their soft bodies are extremely flexible, allowing them to squeeze in and out of even the narrowest crevice.

Their venomous parrot-like beak and the ability to eject ink into the water to blind other animals are some of the octopus’s most effective defensive and predatory tools. Perhaps just as effective, however, is the animal’s intelligence and adaptability. For many years it was assumed that octopuses were unintelligent creatures, but recent studies have documented their ability to use simple tools, identify individuals, navigate mazes and access both long- and short-term memories.

Octopus Cave

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