A mother octopus seen is guarding a clutch of eggs attached to a rock in Noyes Canyon during Dive 12 of the Alaska Seascape 5 Expedition. Two octopuses were seen guarding clutches of eggs on this rock. The octopus seen in this picture looked healthier with more pigmentation, so it is thought that she has been guarding eggs for less time. Upon close inspection, the eyes and tentacles of the baby octopuses can be seen within the eggs.
Octopus Brooding Eggs
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska. Download larger version (jpg, 1.3 MB).

A mother octopus seen is guarding a clutch of eggs attached to a rock in Noyes Canyon during Dive 12 of the Alaska Seascape 5 Expedition. Two octopods were seen guarding clutches of eggs on this rock. The octopus seen in this picture looked healthier with more pigmentation, so it is thought that she has been guarding eggs for less time. Upon close inspection, the eyes and tentacles of the baby octopods can be seen within the eggs.