Interesting. I'd always heard it was universally true. Live and learn.
What are these octopuses up to?
- Thread starter Sas
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OP
Sas
Contributor
Ok well I found this page about them: Blue ringed octopus biology - The Cephalopod Page
"Mating in blue-ringed octopuses involves close contact between males and females. Rather than the male inserting his hectocotylus (third right arm that transfers the sperm package) into the female's mantle cavity from a distance, a male mounts the female, grasps her mantle with his arms, and repeatedly inserts the hectocotylus transferring sperm packets. Mating typically lasts for several minutes, or even hours, and in H. lunulata, is terminated by the female who often has to forcibly remove the male. "
I am pretty sure that is what they were up to.
It says that males die after mating and females soon after the eggs hatch so they only reproduce once. But I know that does not occur in all species as per drbill's post.
"Mating in blue-ringed octopuses involves close contact between males and females. Rather than the male inserting his hectocotylus (third right arm that transfers the sperm package) into the female's mantle cavity from a distance, a male mounts the female, grasps her mantle with his arms, and repeatedly inserts the hectocotylus transferring sperm packets. Mating typically lasts for several minutes, or even hours, and in H. lunulata, is terminated by the female who often has to forcibly remove the male. "
I am pretty sure that is what they were up to.
It says that males die after mating and females soon after the eggs hatch so they only reproduce once. But I know that does not occur in all species as per drbill's post.
This has been an excellent thread about the behavior of cephalopods and certainly more chapters about the teuthology knowledge base.
X
X
smellzlikefish
Contributor
Hi Walter,
I don't know if the same applies for octopus, but in general, tropical squids live on a yearly cycle, matings once then dying. Temperate squids may live for four, five, or more years and reproduce a few times before dying. Pelagic and deepwater squids, I have no idea.
I don't know if the same applies for octopus, but in general, tropical squids live on a yearly cycle, matings once then dying. Temperate squids may live for four, five, or more years and reproduce a few times before dying. Pelagic and deepwater squids, I have no idea.
OP
Sas
Contributor
Well, it appears that it must be blue-ring mating season as I saw some more last night. Also I have noticed some other local photographers now have mating blue-ring pictures up on their sites as well. There also seems to be more adults around than usual - trying to find a mate perhaps?
Anyway I took some more shots if anybody is interested
This time the male looks angry 
The female looked as if she was trying to get away most of the time.
Anyway I took some more shots if anybody is interested
This time the male looks angry The female looked as if she was trying to get away most of the time.
Here are two of my Dive Dry with Dr. Bill columns on mating behavior in Octopus bimaculatus:
Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column
Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column
I loved the second one on apparent mate selection. Fortunately no human females have ever squirted ink on me to ward me off... yet!
Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column
Star Thrower Educational Multimedia (S.T.E.M.) Dive Dry Column
I loved the second one on apparent mate selection. Fortunately no human females have ever squirted ink on me to ward me off... yet!
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