Octopus rubescens (commonly the East Pacific red octopus, also known as the ruby octopus, a preferred common due to the abundance of octopus species colloquially known as red octopus) is the most commonly occurring shallow-water octopus on much of the North American West Coast and a ubiquitous benthic predator in these habitats. Its range extends from the southern Gulf of California to at least the Gulf of Alaska, but may also occur in the western Pacific Ocean. O. rubescens occurs intertidally to a depth of 300 m (980 ft).
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of East Pacific Red Octopus being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Robsonella fontaniana
- Enteroctopus dofleini
- Octopus bimaculoides
- Eledone cirrhosa
- Macroctopus maorum
- Octopus micropyrsus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Class
- Cephalopoda
- Order
- Octopoda
- Family
- Octopodidae
- Genus
- Octopus
- Species
- Octopus rubescens
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