Lesser Two-spot Octopus

The lesser two-spot octopus is a shape-shifting hunter of California's rocky reefs, named for the blue false eyespot under each real eye. It grows to a maximum weight of about 800 g and hides in plain sight through constant camouflage.

Also known as: bimac, california two-spot octopus, california mudflat octopus

Its camouflage can make it nearly invisible against rock or rubble. The clearest sign it is this octopus and not a plain patch of reef is the ringed blue eyespot beneath each eye.

Its skin is not heavily textured and usually appears grey with yellow splotches, though it can shift colour and pattern to match its surroundings. Under each eye sits a false eyespot, an iridescent blue ring set inside a circle of black, which gives the species its name. Its arms carry many suckers, which it also uses to taste.

It lives on rocky reefs, sand, and muddy bottoms along the coast of California and Baja California, from the shallow intertidal zone down to about 20 m.

This octopus hunts at night, using its camouflage to sneak up on prey. Hatchlings start out eating small shrimp-like animals, and adults move on to fish and crustaceans, eating almost anything they can catch.

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  Atlantic White-spotted Octopus

  Pinnoctopus macropus

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  Big blue octopus

  Octopus cyanea

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  Brazilian Reef Octopus

  Octopus insularis

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  Caribbean Reef Octopus

  Octopus briareus

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  Coconut octopus

  Amphioctopus marginatus

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  Common octopus

  Octopus vulgaris