I have never had one totally "On" me. I know they are strong because I have had them try to steal my camera and dive torch. They can lock those suckers onto the rocks and pull REALLY hard! I found that out when one decided it REALLY wanted my torch in his den. I was taking pictures of a nearby fish and the Occy came out of his den, grabbed my torch and tried to make off with it. It was bungied on and I felt the tug when he started trying to drag it away!
The way I tend to read it is, if it comes out of it's lair or stretches it's tentacles well out to interact.. we can play nicely. If it withdraws into the den or tries to move away in any direction quickly, it is time to back off as well. I ensure the "give and take" in tug of war is done gently.. if it gets insistent or exerts much pressure time to back off.
It seems that they are mostly curious and will gently probe or stroke the gear to see what it is. Sometimes they can be entertained by a little bit of peek a boo.
One of the greatest pleasures in diving for me is having the opportunity to watch the creatures, study them and try to learn to "read them". I do not feed any of the critters and have a non interference policy when they are going about their jobs as hunter and prey. Some of the most magical moments I have had underwater occurred when I was able to stay still (in the same place) long enough that the creatures lost their fear of me. When other divers came into view the fish darted off.... when the other divers disappeared the fish came back out and either ignored me or came to peer at their reflections in my mask and check me out. Moments like those are a true gift!
The way I tend to read it is, if it comes out of it's lair or stretches it's tentacles well out to interact.. we can play nicely. If it withdraws into the den or tries to move away in any direction quickly, it is time to back off as well. I ensure the "give and take" in tug of war is done gently.. if it gets insistent or exerts much pressure time to back off.
It seems that they are mostly curious and will gently probe or stroke the gear to see what it is. Sometimes they can be entertained by a little bit of peek a boo.
One of the greatest pleasures in diving for me is having the opportunity to watch the creatures, study them and try to learn to "read them". I do not feed any of the critters and have a non interference policy when they are going about their jobs as hunter and prey. Some of the most magical moments I have had underwater occurred when I was able to stay still (in the same place) long enough that the creatures lost their fear of me. When other divers came into view the fish darted off.... when the other divers disappeared the fish came back out and either ignored me or came to peer at their reflections in my mask and check me out. Moments like those are a true gift!
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