Amphioctopus marginatus

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Mollusca. Class: Cephalopoda, Order: Octopoda, Family: Octopodidae                                        

DISTRIBUTION: Tropical waters of the western of the western Pacific Ocean.

HABITAT: Sandy bottoms in bays or lagoons.

APPEARANCE: The main body of the octopus is typically around 8 centimeters (3 in) in size, and, with arms, approximately 15 centimeters (6 in) long. The octopus displays a typical color pattern with dark divergent lines similar to veins, usually with a yellow siphon The arms are usually dark in color, with contrasting white suckers. In many color displays, a lighter trapezoidal area can be seen immediately below the eye.

DIET: Shrimp, clams and crabs.

REMARKS: A. marginatus  is one of only two octopus species known to display such behavior, the other being Abdopus aculeatus.   A. marginatus  has been observed using discarded coconut shells as a shelter.

LINK  to National Geographic video  http://www.indiesquidkid.com/tag/amphioctopus/

 LOCATION: STAFF PICK  SP04

 WORDPRESS SHORTLINK  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-aU