Two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Octopus bimaculatus
- Common name
- Two-spot octopus
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Octopodidae
- Genus
- Octopus
- Size
- 30–70 cm
- Depth
- 1–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Octopus bimaculatus reaches 70 cm arm span. Octopus (Octopodidae) East Pacific temperate to subtropical from central California to Baja California with red-brown to marbled-brown body highly variable according to mood and camouflage, characterized by two large blue-green ocelli as false eyes under true eyes (hence bimaculatus). Lives from 1 to 50 m on rocky reefs, hidden in dens. Nocturnal, intelligent, changes color and texture. Predator of crustaceans and shells. Classic dive photo subject of California kelp forests, very photogenic.
Photo of Two-spot octopus
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Two-spot octopus?
- Two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculatus) reaches 30–70 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Two-spot octopus?
- Two-spot octopus is found between 1–50 m deep.
- Is the Two-spot octopus dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Two-spot octopus?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Two-spot octopus?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Octopus
- Octopus vulgaris - Common octopus
- Octopus mototi - Mototi octopus
- Octopus hubbsorum - Hubbs' octopus
- Octopus salutii - Spider octopus
- Octopus macropus - White-spotted octopus
- Octopus briareus - Caribbean reef octopus
Other species in the family Octopodidae
- Hapalochlaena lunulata - Blue-ringed octopus
- Wunderpus photogenicus - Wunderpus octopus
- Abdopus aculeatus - Algae octopus
- Thaumoctopus mimicus - Mimic octopus
- Hapalochlaena maculosa - Blue-ringed Octopus
- Pteroctopus tetracirrhus - Four-armed Octopod
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 341951)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2289658)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia