Scientists have solved the mystery of why tens of thousands of octopuses congregate under a giant seamount off the coast of California (USA). So called pearl (or California) octopuses, named because they look like scattered jewels from afar, they seek out warm water seeping from the seafloor. Hot water comes from volcanic springs. Octopuses use this to accelerate the hatching of their eggs. writes about it Guard.
Scientists have discovered an ‘octopus nursery’ near Davidson Seamount, one of four known concentrations of deep-sea octopuses.
A remote-controlled underwater vehicle captured video of female pearl octopuses guarding their eggs in a warm water vent. Also, anemones settle in the substrate near the warm water from the volcano.
Hot water comes from hydrothermal vents, which are not as scalding as hydrothermal vents, also known as “black smokers.” “They’re never hot enough to boil octopus eggs,” said Jim Barry, a biologist at MBARI who led the study.
Based on photographs that cover a small portion of the site, Barry and colleagues estimate that the “kindergarten” covers 333 hectares (823 acres) and is home to more than 20,000 octopuses. This is the largest cluster scientists have discovered.
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