Since then, the more common name of ‘coconut octopus’ was adopted, and we think it is far more appropriate, don’t you?Īs you can probably imagine, it isn’t easy for a small octopus to walk around the seabed while carrying two half shells that are bigger than itself. The octopus would prefer the coconut shells, but if they weren’t available, they would instead opt for empty clam shells, however they also noticed they were very picky about which shells they would take. They also noted that it wasn’t just coconut shells either. Many times the octopus would have to dig the shell out of the sand, clean it off with carefully aimed water jets, before manoeuvring them into position. It isn’t as easy as just picking shells up either. They observed over 20 different veined octopus perform the exact same behaviour. It wasn’t just one smart individual either. Before this was seen, it was known that veined octopus would live inside empty shells, as many other octopus do, but this was the first time they had been scientifically recorded moving around with them. The octopus would pick up, and carry around empty coconut shells to use as a mobile home. They spent over 500 hours observing the octopus, and they discovered something very interesting… This gives the coconut octopus almost a parachute like appearance.īack in 2009, a couple of marine biologists from Melbourne travelled to North Sulawesi and Bali to conduct research on veined octopus (the common term back then). Like all other octopus, the coconut octopus can alter its colouration to help it blend in with its surroundings, however their normal colour is a reddy-browny body, mottled with dark lines that resemble veins – hence the name ‘veined octopus’ -, a yellow siphon, and extremely conspicuous white suctions pads.Īnother way they are easy to recognise is from the skirt (webbing) between the arms, which goes much further towards the tips of the arms than most other octopus. With a body that grows to an average of 8 centimetres long and arms that average 15 centimetres, the coconut octopus can be described as medium-sized. Native to the western Pacific Ocean, the Amphioctopus marginatus is an octopus species that is more commonly known as the ‘coconut octopus’ or the ‘veined octopus’. Others have evolved to take the form of sea grass, hydroids, sponges, or other inanimate marine objects.Īnd then there is the coconut octopus, whose unique survival strategy gives it the prestigious status of the oceans most resourceful animal, and one of the worlds most intelligent invertebrates.

Some critters bury themselves into the substrate, waiting for any potential prey to pass by before pouncing. One of the most interesting aspects of muck diving is seeing all the weird and wonderful ways that the animals have evolved to survive in a relatively inhospitable environment. The sandy slopes of North Sulawesi are world famous for the bizarre creatures that inhabit them.įrom terrifying giant predatory worms, to psychedelic coloured nudibranch and frogfish the size of your smallest fingernail, the muck diving in Bunaken Marine Park has everything you could possibly want, and more.

Coconut octopus