Posted on 09/10/2011 4:56:42 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Nearly 300 giant Pacific octopus eggs hatched earlier this week at an aquarium in Canada.
The eggs were laid by an Giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) named C.C at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre seven months ago and mark the start of a tense few months for the aquarium.
Dr. Dennis Thoney, director of animal operations at the Vancouver Aquarium told the press: "Although it is not unusual for octopus eggs to hatch in aquariums, very few hatchings have ever survived. The chances of survival are very low because Giant Pacific octopuses have a 7-10 month long pelagic larval stage. To further our knowledge of octopus reproduction, we will attempt to feed and maintain some the larvae for as long as possible."
But Thoney said it's very unlikely the baby octopuses will survive. "They've only ever been raised through this stage once or twice, ever. It's very, very difficult, so the chances of it happening is nil."
Unfortunately, this is also not good news for the display where the parents live either. This species typically lives 3-5 years and mating usually occurs towards the end of adult life. Females lay anything from 20,000- 75,000 eggs which they tend for up to seven months, during which time they do not eat. Once the eggs hatch the females usually die and C.C.'s male partner, Clove, died just over two months after she mated with him. It is expected that C.C. will also die naturally in the coming weeks now that egg incubation is completed.
"Opportunities to observe Giant Pacific octopus mating are rare and we have already been extremely lucky to witness it several times here at the Vancouver Aquarium," said Thoney.
"There is much to learn about octopuses and we hope to learn more as we attempt to raise the newly hatched octopus larvae."
Enteroctopus dofleini is the largest species of octopus in the world. Typically they grow to around 45kg but individuals as large as 70kg and 7.5m have been recorded with two records topping 136kg and 182kg. The larvae usually measure just 6mm when first hatched.
that looks positively evil.
Sure, they're cute now, but just wait...
Imagine something sentient looking like this.
No. No. No thanks. I don’t even want to look at crawdads.
Are you kidding?
I see a delicate and beautiful creature that testifies to the existence of its wonderful Creator.
Sushi time! Yeah!
is that orly inside there?
“Octopuses”? I thought the plural form was “Octopi”.
The only instructions I could offer the zoo is not to feed and water them (especially after midnight).
That’s squid. In Italian, octopus is “pulpae”. In Portuguese, it’s Christmas Eve dinner.
Vancouver is in Canada.
I believe we have 800 octopuses. If we had more than one type of octopus in there, we would have octopi.
Sounds like the beginning of a scary horror movie.
You should seee the 13 inch Sea Cucumber in our 250 gal salt water reef aquarium. Reminds me of a Graboid from the movie Tremors.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/sea-cucumber/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.