The giant Pacific octopus is considered to be short-lived for an animal of its size, with lifespans that average only 3-5 years in the wild. To make up for its relatively short life span, the octopus is extremely prolific. It can lay up to 57,000 eggs which are intensively cared for by the females, which die protecting the eggs. Hatchlings are about the size of a grain of rice, and very few survive to adulthood. Marine mammals, such as harbor seals, sea otters, and sperm whales, depend upon the giant Pacific octopus as a source of food. Pacific sleeper sharks are also confirmed predators of this species. In addition, the octopus is commercially fished in the United States. Very little is known about the population of this solitary creature, and it is not currently under the protection of CITES or evaluated in the IUCN Red List. - wiki/Enteroctopus_dofleini
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