Octopus mercatoris defensive posture

[Gonodactylus]

I just unpacked a dozen Octopus mercatoris and almost all of them immediately assume this defensive posture with one front arm over the head and between the eyes. This is similar to the posture assumed when the octopus is setting in the entrance to its cavity. When in the open and provoked, both front arms are usually up, curling back over the head.

Roy

 

[OnlyCrimson]

That's neat! what's the size of those little buggers?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Size of a quarter.

Roy

 

[matter1331]

very cool picture. Is this behavior exclusive to mercatoris or do all octos display it?

 

[Gonodactylus]

It certainly is not seen in all octopus, but it is common in some. I've seen it in several dwarfs including O. chierchiae, O. wolfi and O. digueti. O. mercatoris seems particularly prone to show it.

Roy

 

[matter1331]

awesome, thanks for the info.