Seven-arm octopus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seven-arm octopus |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Alloposidae
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Haliphron
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| Haliphron atlanticus |
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The seven-arm octopus (Haliphron atlanticus) is a fascinating sea creature. It's also called the septopus or the heptopus. Many people believe it might be the biggest octopus in the world! This idea comes from a part of an octopus found that was estimated to be about 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh around 75 kilograms (165 pounds). The North Pacific giant octopus is another very large octopus that rivals its size.
In 2002, a huge seven-arm octopus was found near New Zealand. Fishing boats caught this amazing animal. It was the biggest of its kind ever officially recorded from the South Pacific Ocean. Even though it was not a complete octopus, it measured 0.69 meters (about 2.3 feet) just for its body (mantle). Its total length was 2.90 meters (about 9.5 feet), and it weighed 61.0 kilograms (about 134 pounds).
About the Seven-Arm Octopus
Why "Seven-Arm"?
The seven-arm octopus gets its special name because of how the male octopus is built. Most octopuses have eight arms that are easy to see. However, the male seven-arm octopus has one arm that is usually hidden. This special arm is called a hectocotylus. It's used for reproduction, helping to fertilize the eggs. This arm is usually coiled up in a small sac located under its right eye. Because this arm is often tucked away, it looks like the octopus only has seven arms, even though it really has eight!
Images for kids
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Egg string and embryos of H. atlanticus collected north of the Cape Verde Islands (17°24′N 22°57′W / 17.400°N 22.950°W): The eggs measure around 8 mm at their widest.
See also
In Spanish: Pulpo de siete brazos para niños
