Remarkable experience with a Giant Pacific Octopus while scuba diving at Porteau Cove Provincial Park, a shore site just outside of Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Giant Pacific Octopus (GPO) is the largest species of octopus in the world! The GPO is extremely intelligent and can learn to open jars, solve puzzles and interact with humans. They are also nimble contortionists able to escape through the tiniest of spaces as long as it’s big enough for their beak.

Average lifespan is 3 – 5 years. They are stealthy hunters and eat a variety of clams, crabs and other molluscs.

The GPO can change colour and can range from a whitish grey to dark red depending on the use of its layered chromatophores (pigment cells).

They have large brains – 9 in total! One central brain and 8 that control each of its arms.

Seals, sea otters, sharks, large fish, humans and even sperm whales are known to eat octopus.

Cephalopods have been increasingly viewed as sentient animals that require the same welfare consideration as their invertebrate counterparts. Please consider this if you choose to consume these magnificent creatures.

Want more? Click here for the full Octopus Encounter Video!