Located 2 miles below the ocean’s surface, approximately 80 miles off the coast of central California, lies an extraordinary sight—an expansive gathering of thousands of octopuses. This remarkable “octopus garden” was discovered in 2018 on the foothills of an inactive underwater volcano, leaving researchers in awe. “It was one of those truly extraordinary moments when you instantly realize the significance of what you have found,” said Amanda Kahn, a biologist from San Jose State University who was part of the expedition, in an interview with the New York Times. It took several years of study to unravel the mysteries surrounding this gathering of pearl octopuses. In a recent publication in Science Advances, researchers reveal that this extraordinary site serves as a mating and breeding ground where embryos thrive under advantageous conditions.
The discovery of a “shimmering” phenomenon indicated the mixing of cool and warm ocean waters from a hydrothermal spring. This unique spot, where numerous female octopuses were taking care of their broods, boasted a water temperature of approximately 52 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly higher than the surrounding area, which measured 35 degrees. Normally, pearl octopus eggs would require five to 10 years to hatch in near-freezing temperatures due to slower embryonic growth, as reported by the New York Times. However, in the warmer waters of the octopus garden, researchers were astonished to find that the eggs hatched in less than two years on average—twice as fast as expected, according to the Washington Post. This shortened development period contributes to increased reproductive success by minimizing the time available for predators to consume the eggs, while ensuring the presence of mother octopuses for protection.
Female octopuses dedicate all their energy to tending to their eggs, often sacrificing their lives for their offspring. The team of researchers estimated the presence of around 6,000 octopuses within an area roughly the size of a few football fields, with over 80% of them being nesting females. However, they believe there could be as many as 20,000 individuals in total. While the octopus garden may appear extraordinary, it is not an isolated occurrence. Just five miles away, the research team discovered another nursery near thermal springs, and in June, additional researchers confirmed the existence of yet another nursery near thermal springs off the coast of Costa Rica. The team’s next goal is to understand how these intelligent creatures locate these hotspots, speculating that they may be returning to the places where they were born to reproduce. (For more fascinating octopus stories, click here.)
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