Hello from the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora team!
Ia orana from French Polynesia!
Just below the surface in the clear waters of French Polynesia, you might be able to observe a rare and wonderful event, the mating and courtship of octopuses. Recently, our marine biologists were able to document a complex, interactive mating between two octopuses living in the Lagoon Sanctuary. Read more, in this blog written by our team, ‘Tangled Tentacles: The Bizarre and Beautiful Courtship of Octopuses’
Phase 1: Seduction and Mating Rituals
Octopuses are generally solitary animals who prefer to live and hunt alone. And as octopuses will only mate successfully once in their lifetimes, this makes mating encounters very rare. Males must be extremely cautious and avoid provoking aggression from the female, who may view them as prey rather than a potential mate, especially if he is significantly smaller than she is.
Males will typically approach females slowly as a result, using body language and colour changes to communicate his intentions as he assesses the interest of the female, flashing vibrant patterns and hues as part of a display to impress her or to warn rival males to stay away.
As well as wild displays of colour, males can also communicate via aggression and intimidation displays; often an attempt to show dominance to the female.
Phase 2: The Mating Process
One of the eight arms of male octopuses, distinguished by its modified tip, is known as a hectocotylus. This unique reproductive adaptation houses little sacs of sperm which the male will transfer to the female’s mantle cavity where her eggs are stored. The male will stretch out his arm over surprisingly long distances to maintain a safe distance from the female! Fecundation is internal so the modified arm needs to be inserted inside the female.
It’s all fun and games until your partner tries to eat you
Mating for male octopuses can be a dangerous affair, especially if the female is significantly larger. In some cases, the female may decide to eat the male after or even during mating. This cannibalistic behaviour adds a layer of complexity to the encounter, as males must balance the urge to mate with the instinct to stay alive.
Interestingly, some males practice “sneaky” tactics to avoid being eaten. They may disguise themselves by mimicking female body language or approach from a less obvious angle to deliver sperm without triggering aggressive responses.
Phase 3: A Devoted Mother
After mating, the female can store the packets of sperm from the male(s) and decide which males’ sperm she will use to fertilise her eggs, which ranges from a 20,000 to 100,000. She then lays the fertilised eggs in a safe, sheltered rock crevice or den. She will guard her eggs for weeks or even months before they hatch, tending to them diligently. During this time, the female stops hunting and eating entirely, focusing solely on keeping her eggs clean and oxygenated by gently blowing water over them with her siphon, also keeping an eye out of her crevice for potential predators.
Phase 4: Self-sacrifice
For most species of octopus, mating is a one-time event. After the female lays her eggs and begins caring for them, her body enters a phase of decline. The endocrine system triggers senescence—a natural process of aging and decay that leads to her death shortly after the eggs hatch. In many cases, the female dies of starvation because she devoted all her energy to protecting her offspring.
Males, too, typically die shortly after mating. After transferring sperm, their energy reserves are depleted, and they succumb to senescence (process of deterioration with age). In this sense, octopus reproduction is a tragic but beautiful cycle of life, where both parents die shortly after ensuring the survival of the next generation.
Conclusion
The mating process of octopuses is both fascinating and unusual in many respects, showing a wide range of complex behaviours that demonstrate just how intelligent and unique these cephalopods are. Each instance of mating, while sharing the same commonalities that link octopuses together, are wholly unique and will provide a different experience for anyone lucky enough to witness it.
Nana,
The WiseOceans Bora Bora Team
Did you enjoy Tangled Tentacles: The Bizarre and Beautiful Courtship of Octopuses?
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