The Thieving Octopus

[calicant]

Could get tricky if a tentacle reaches a mask or regulator.

 

[Brian Sharpe]

Loved it, thanks for sharing.

 

[cam_snapper]

wheres the octopus at shelly beach?

Follow the tail of the 1.5m diameter bull ray, then turn right at the wobbegong, continue past the juvenile dusky whaler shark, then you'll find the octopus just to the left of the free-swimming moray. ;-)

I joke, but I've seen all those things while diving at Shelley. The real way to find an octopus? Go hunting! Look under every ledge and at the base of rocky outcrops. Better yet, go at night.

 

[Skating101]

Thanks for the replies guys and his location is really whereever he feels like i think but we found him on a small reef right in the middle of the bay

 

[mzdkTV]

Hey,
they must be repeat offenders as I had a very similar encounter earlier this year:

[video=youtube_share;e4_3lB4frls]http://youtu.be/e4_3lB4frls[/video]

 

[Allison Finch]

I don't see curiosity, I see anger. Octos are very expressive with their color. When they flush red, they are not happy. You had him backed into a ledge where he had no escape. He lashed out. Sometimes the best defense is a strong offense. Setting your hand so close to him was not an invitation as mush as a threat, IMO.

 

[Splitlip]

What a great post.

 

[Skating101]

I don't see curiosity, I see anger. Octos are very expressive with their color. When they flush red, they are not happy. You had him backed into a ledge where he had no escape. He lashed out. Sometimes the best defense is a strong offense. Setting your hand so close to him was not an invitation as mush as a threat, IMO.

While he was against the rock he had two very easy exits which were in no way blocked. Octopi use their tentacles to gain more information about a particular object, either food or just out of curiousity. If he had felt threatened at any time he couldve inked and ran away, he didnt, IMO he was just being curious after being surprised by two large and apparently non threatening creatures.