Watch a Giant Octopus Turn into a Real-Life Kraken and Grab a Scuba Diver

Madrona Point in British Columbia, Canada, is a popular spot for diving. These waters are also home to the giant Pacific octopus, the largest octopus species on Earth. In this YouTube video, a diver spots a giant Pacific octopus lying in its den on the seafloor. When the diver touches one of the octopus’s suckers, the octopus reaches out but quickly pulls back. The second time the diver makes contact, the octopus grips the diver’s hand with its suckers and attempts to drag the diver into its den. Fortunately, the octopus lets go and retreats. Yet, why did the octopus grab the diver, and what would have happened if it had not let go? Keep reading to learn more about the habitat and habits of the great Pacific octopus.

Giants of the Ocean

The giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) can be found throughout the cooler waters of the Pacific Ocean. Their range extends from Alaska to California and west to Japan. These octopuses prefer rocky areas with sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow water to depths of around 4,900 feet. They are the largest and one of the longest-lived species of octopus. The largest specimen ever recorded was around 30 feet across and weighed nearly 600 pounds. However, they are more commonly around 16 feet and 130 pounds. They are solitary animals with a lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

The octopus is usually a reddish-brown color with paler underarms, but it can change both its color and texture in response to threats or for camouflage. The beak is the only hard part of its body, so if it can squeeze its beak through a gap, the rest of its body can follow. The octopus has a large, bulbous mantle that houses its brain and internal organs, including its gills, three hearts, and its digestive system.

It has four pairs of arms extending from the mantle, with 280 suckers of various sizes on each arm. A single sucker is powerful enough to hold 35 pounds, while all eight arms working together can move over 700 pounds. There is also a small brain at the base of each arm that allows the octopus to control each sucker individually, as shown in the video.

Octopus Hunting Techniques

Giant Pacific octopuses are nocturnal ambush hunters, using their camouflage skills to hide from prey while they creep closer and closer. They have specialized cells called chromatophores that can change their color and alter their texture to mimic their surroundings. When its prey is in range, the octopus quickly propels itself forward and captures the prey with its arms. Octopuses use a form of jet propulsion for locomotion. They pull water into their mantle and then use their muscles to forcefully push the water through a tube-like siphon. This creates thrust, propelling them through the water.

These octopuses are carnivores, generally feeding on crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimp, as well as mollusks like clams and snails. However, they have also been known to eat birds, other octopuses, and even small sharks. They bite down with their parrot-like beaks or use their radula — a tongue-like organ covered with chitinous teeth — to drill and tear through hard exoskeletons. This creates a hole through which they secrete venomous saliva to paralyze their prey. They also use their strong suckers to pull shells apart to get at the meat inside. Octopuses frequently take their prey back to their dens to consume it, leaving the remains in a pile outside. So, was this carnivorous octopus actually planning to eat the diver?

The Diver’s Predicament

While these giant octopuses may have inspired the legend of the Kraken or the literary sea monster Cthulhu, they are typically very timid animals and pose little danger to people. They are solitary by nature and normally prefer to hide in their dens or camouflage themselves to avoid detection. These octopuses are not interested in eating humans. However, their suckers are chemotactic, meaning they can taste objects by touching them. So the octopus in the video may have been testing to see if the diver was edible.

Scientists note that aggressive behavior is typically observed only when the octopus is provoked, so it is possible the octopus was annoyed by being touched. There have been no documented fatalities due to a giant Pacific octopus. Divers have rarely reported being bitten while handling these octopuses, though bites have occurred when divers tried to capture them. However, the giant Pacific octopus is venomous, so if bitten, divers should seek medical attention immediately.

Giant Pacific octopuses are also extremely intelligent and inquisitive. In the wild, they use landmarks for navigation and have been observed using tools. In captivity, these octopuses are known for opening jars, escaping from their tanks, interacting with their caretakers, and engaging in play-like behavior. So, the octopus may have simply been curious about the person touching it. Researchers explain that the octopuses will typically let go if they cannot overpower the diver or when they find the diver is not edible. During an octopus encounter, experts advise divers to stay calm, keep a firm grip on their regulators, and communicate with a dive buddy for assistance.

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