Lesser Two-Spot Octopus

Octopus bimaculoides reaches a mantle size of 17.5 cm (6.9 in) with arms to 58 cm (23 in). Not usually heavily textured, it has several common colors, such as grey with yellow splotches, and uses highly developed crypsis, which is camouflage or color-changing to match the environment.

Octopuses achieve color change in part by chromatophores, iridophores, and leucophores. All are structures of the skin in increasing depth. Chromatophores are elastic pigment sacs with muscle fibers attached by which they can expand and contract. The leucophores are important because they allow for the reflection of white light, and allow the skin to reflect wavelengths of light which are prevalent in their habitat, and produce disruptive patterns. The other aspect to cephalopod camouflage is the brain, which contains nerves coated in chromatophore fibers, controlling coloration patterning.

O. bimaculoides are found in coastal waters, in the eastern Pacific along mid- and southern-California and the western side of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. They live at depths from the intertidal, down to at least 20 m (66 ft).

It prefers rocky reefs or debris for hiding, and tolerates a wide temperature range 15–26 °C (59–79 °F), though prefers 18–22 °C (64–72 °F).

Since these octopuses do not live for long, they mature rapidly and can hunt for food to feed themselves right after hatching. Hatchlings feed on amphipods or mysid shrimp. As they grow, the list of what they eat grows with them. California two-spot octopuses eat anything they can find, like fish and crustaceans. They are nocturnal, and hunt at night. Their camouflage abilities give them an advantage while hunting.

These octopuses live around one to one and a half years in their natural habitat, but can live for up to two years in captivity. The end is signaled by egg-laying in the female and senescence in both males and females.

Towards the end of their lifespan, they are ready to reproduce. These octopuses are semelparous: they mate and reproduce only once in their lives. They can mate at any point of the year. It is most common during the summer when the water is warmer. Using its spermatophores, the male fertilizes the female. The male dies soon after the reproductive act.

After mating, the female creates a den, where she will lay 20 to 100 eggs. After laying her eggs, she must keep them alive and well. She blows cool water through her siphon so that the eggs receive oxygen. This will go on until the eggs hatch, which ranges from 150 to 210 days. During this process, the female does not eat, and her condition deteriorates, usually culminating in death.