Octopus

The Two-Spot Octopus and East Pacific Red Octopus are two of the most common octopuses found along the California coast. Belonging to the class Cephalopoda (latin for “head-foot”), they are intelligent and elusive creatures. Capable of changing their color to blend into their environment using Chromatophores, a specialized cell located on their skin. Whether it be rocky reefs, sandy bottoms, or kelp bottoms, the octopuses are masters of camouflage and are a rare sight to see. The Two-Spot Octopus is known for the bright blue circles beneath its eye that act as false eyes to confuse predators, while the East Pacific Red Octopus is a reddish-brown hue that helps it disappear among the rocks and algae. Both species live a short life of up to 2-2.5 years.