Octopus an exceptional animal that thrives in Hawaiian waters | News, Sports, Jobs
The ocean offers a strong essence of beauty and mystery. With such diverse ecosystems, animals have evolved different adaptations to survive. The octopus, or he’e in Hawaiian, is one of those exceptional animals that thrives in our oceans today.
The octopus is a part of the cephalopod class, making it a close relative to squid, chambered nautilus and cuttlefish. There are about six species of octopus that commonly inhabit Hawaii’s shallow waters.
If you’d ever had the opportunity to encounter one of these amazing animals, you would most likely be greeted in one of two ways: the curious animal would either reach out to sense you using one of its eight dexterous arms containing more than 200 suckers or you’d be greeted with a cloud of black ink as it attempts to confuse the perceived intruder – you!
Like many cephalopods, the octopus moves through the water using jet propulsion where it takes water into its mantle cavity and ejects it through a siphon (a funnel located near the mouth). The eight arms surround a central mouth where it contains a beak used for feeding. The octopus is a predator and will mainly feed on crabs, other mollusks and fish.
The day octopus (Octopus cyanea) is the most frequently seen species of octopus in Hawaiian waters because it searches for food during the day. It then retreats into its lair at night. Found anywhere from the shallows to 150 feet in depth, it can sometimes be seen peering out of its hiding spot, which is usually distinguished by scattered fragments of crustacean shells lying around the entrance.
The day octopus can attain a length of 3 feet and a weight of up to 5 pounds. In the Hawaiian culture, the he’e has historically been an important food source. A traditional fishing method was to lure it out of its lair with tiger cowry shells that had very specific markings. The octopus is still considered a food source by many cultures today.
The day octopus has an average life span of 14 months and reproduces only once in its lifetime. Shortly after mating, the female retreats to her den and attaches thousands of eggs to a solid surface which she then protects. The male octopus dies not long after reproduction, and the female dies after the eggs hatch.
The ability to camouflage is a defense mechanism displayed by many marine animals; but none is as intricate as the he’e. Not only can it change colors almost instantaneously, but it can also match the surrounding textures of the reef’s surface, truly making it a master of disguise.
Apart from its distinguishing characteristics and defense mechanisms, the intelligence of an octopus has been compared to that of some birds and mammals that demonstrate superior problem-solving abilities. Its aptitude has challenged many an aquarist in keeping this clever animal from escaping.
To provide intellectual stimulation for the he’e, aquarists at the Maui Ocean Center provide various objects with which the octopus can interact.
Through trial and error, the octopus can learn how to open jars and reach into the crevices of shells and bottles in order to obtain food. The octopus often interacts with the aquarists while they clean the exhibit, seemingly interested in their presence, even to the point of removing their dive masks. With all these fascinating behaviors and displays of intelligence, it is easy to appreciate the complex nature of the octopus.
* Lily Solano is an ocean naturalist at the Maui Ocean Center. She graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in marine biology. “Ka Mo’olelo Moana,” or “the Ocean Story,” is a monthly column submitted by the Maui Ocean Center. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in Maalaea. For more information, call 270-7000.
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