We currently do not have a giant Pacific octopus on exhibit.

In the meantime, enjoy watching the wolf eel living in the main tank. Wolf eels are not actually eels. This is a common misnomer given its long, slender body and misleading common name. Despite their fierce appearance, wolf eels living in areas frequented by divers can become “tamed” and regularly interact with humans.

North side Tank View

South side Tank View

About our Octocam

The Octocam view is occasionally cloudy (usually due to maintenance on the seawater systems) or dark. We sometimes darken the tank by covering it when the Visitor Center is closed to give the octopus time to rest. If you can't see a clear image, please revisit us in a day or two.

We also add curtains to darken the tank when we introduce a new octopus. The curtains are slowly removed to help her transition to the busy environment at the Visitor Center.

Octopus rehab

Watch this Visitor Center octopus playing with a toy watering can during his quarantine with our Aquatic Animal Health Program.

Octopuses at the Visitor Center

Octopuses are short-lived, so we try to keep them for only a few months before returning them to the ocean - usually when they begin to show signs of senescence (aging). Pictured above is an octopus from the Visitor Center resting in the water right after it was returned to the ocean.

Learn more about our octopus guests by visiting our OctoFAQ

You can also watch this recent video of Renee Fowler and our former and extremely active resident octopus at feeding time. Renee shares interesting facts about the giant Pacific octopus.

Want to watch more octopus videos? Check out this one of Tara McDowell feeding a giant Pacific octopus in 2016.

 

Donate an octopus

We are always looking for live octopus donations from crabbers, fishermen, divers and others who inadvertently catch these curious animals when they climb into their traps or nets in search of food. Please contact us if you have an octopus to donate.

Note: A state-issued shellfish license is required to make an octopus donation. Contact our Marine Education Volunteer Coordinator, Renee Fowler, if you have an octopus to donate.