Nudibranchs, Chitons, Octopus
|
White Nudibranch 
|
| White Nudibranch, giant white dorid, snow white dorid Doris odhneri Size: to 20 cm (8 inches) long Range: Alaska to California Habitat: Intertidal to 50 m (165 ft) Comments: The white nudibranch typically has a circular, flower-shaped gill protruding from near the rear of an oval body. There are no dark markings on this nudibranch. |
| Golden Dirona
|
| Golden Dirona Dirona pellucida Size: to 12 cm (5in) long Range: Alaska to Oregon Habitat: intertidal to subtidal Comments: White specking, particularly on the lower body, distinguishes the golden dirona from the orange varieties of the frosted nudibranch. The spectacular leaf-shaped structures along its back are sites where the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange occurs. Note that the shape and number of these leafy structures is quite variable. |
|
Giant Dendronotid
|
| Giant Dendronotid Dendronotus iris Size: To 10″ (25cm) Range: Unalaska Island to Baja California Habitat: In sand-mud, shallow subtidal to 655′ (200m) Description: Large, with long branched processes on back frontal veil of 4 spired appendages. Color varies from white to grey, orange to red. A white line runs along foot margin Comments: Species feeds on the tenticals of tube dwelling anemones. Often lays loosely looped eggs on the tube and sometimes pulled into it. The animal can swim if disturbed. |
| Giant Pacific Octopus
|
| Giant Pacific Octopus Octopus dofleini Size: Mantle to 8′ (20cm) arm span to 30′ (9m) Range: Bering Sea to California. Habitat: On sandy and rocky shores; intertidal to 330′ (100m) Description: 8 arms of equal length; species changes color from pale to dark reddish brown ot mottled patterns. Large, globular body; head has no fins Comments: This is the largest octopus in the world, reported to weigh up to 600lbs (272kg). It is also found in Japan. The female guards strings of eggs, attached to the roof of the den. Want to read more about the Pacific Octopus, Click Here Uw Explorers are currently conducting an Observational Study of the Giant Pacific Octopus. To find more, visit Observational Study (Giant Pacific Octopus) |
| Pacific Red Octopus
|
| Pacific Red Octopus, red octopus Octopus rebescens Size: to 50 cm (20inches) are spread, 0.4 kg (1lbs) total weight Range: Alaska to Mexico Habitat: Intertidal to 300m (1,000ft) Comments: Three tiny flaps or “eyelashes” below each eye and its muddy red color distinguish the red octopus from a small specimen of the Giant Pacific Octopus. Although seldom sufficiently provoked, this animal can deliver a nasty bit, as can the normally docile Giant Pacific Octopus. |
