PORT ANGELES — Feiro Marine Life Center has a new star to welcome visitors.
A juvenile giant Pacific octopus has replaced Ursula, an octopus released Jan. 11 in Freshwater Bay, in the octopus tank at the marine life center at 315 N. Lincoln St., on City Pier.
Although it could grow to weigh 110 pounds in its short life of — at most — five years, the center’s new octopus, thought to be younger than 2 years old, weighs only 3 or 4 pounds and is about the size of a grapefruit.
Despite its small size, the octopus, as yet unnamed, has a special talent, said Melissa Williams, executive director of the center.
“She really does an amazingly quick job of color change,” Williams said.
“You can see the color ripple across her skin. It’s unusual to see it happen.”
Octopuses are known for their color change, but usually the change is more gradual, she said.
The giant Pacific octopus is the mascot and a symbol of the marine science center, which features the creature on shirts and toys sold in its gift store.
“They’re otherworldly, with their three hearts, and they are very intelligent creatures,” Williams said.
Both male and female giant Pacific octopuses can reach about 16 feet across. They breed once, then die.
The marine center holds a license to keep a wild octopus and is required to return that octopus to the area where it was caught when it approaches breeding age and condition.
The center’s past five octopuses — Octavia, Ariel, Opal, Obecka and Ursula — have all been female by happenstance.
The new octopus is also female.
Octopuses exist in about equal numbers, female to male, so it is statistically unusual to get all females, Williams said.
Like her predecessor, she was caught in Freshwater Bay.
Feiro members were treated to a special sneak preview last Tuesday morning, and have already suggested names for the new octopus, Williams said.
The public also will have a chance to suggest names, but how that will happen hasn’t yet been determined, she said.
Obecka and Ursula were both named by members of the public — Obecka’s naming rights were auctioned at the Fish on the Fence Gala, and Ursula was named by a public poll in the Peninsula Daily News.
Every octopus takes a little while to get acclimated, so Tuesday’s member preview served as a soft introduction to the public.
Visitors are welcome to meet the new octopus, but Williams requested that no flashes be used for photos in the octopus room.
Winter hours at the center are noon to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is by donation.
For more information, call 360-417-6254, email info@feiromarinelifecenter.org or see feiromarinelifecenter.org.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
