Species Spotlight · 12 Sep 2023
Surprisingly little is known about the blanket octopus and its behaviour, but one thing is certain: they're breathtakingly beautiful. This creature inhabits the Pacific Ocean, typically anchoring itself to coral reefs during nighttime hours and sheltering in rock crevices when daylight arrives.
The species Tremoctopus violaceus dwells in subtropical and tropical ocean environments, embodying a pelagic lifestyle through constant ocean drifting. Four distinct species derive their common name from the females' translucent, shimmering webbing connecting four of their limbs. The creature remains something of an oceanic mystery, because its open-water existence makes sightings exceptionally rare.
Female blanket octopuses possess an expandable membrane for size augmentation. When confronted by predators, they employ an escape strategy of tearing off pieces of their "cape" to fool a predator long enough to survive — comparable to a lizard shedding its tail.
Extreme sexual dimorphism characterises this species: males measure approximately 4 centimetres, with dumpling-like proportions. Males display neutral colouring with blue accents and possess camouflage capabilities, remaining inconspicuous while females guard their eggs.
These octopuses also demonstrate a remarkable resistance to Portuguese man o' war venom. Researchers have discovered specimens carrying appropriated tentacle segments attached to their suckers, revealing that blanket octopuses steal the tendrils to use as weapons for defence — tiny stolen stun guns.