The California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides), often simply called a "bimac", is an octopus species native to many parts of the Pacific Ocean including the coast of California. One can identify the species by the circular blue eyespots on each side of its head. Bimacs usually live to be about two years old. They are closely related to Verrill's two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculatus). In 2015, O. bimaculoides became the first octopus to have a fully sequenced genome.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Lesser Two-spot 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
- Octopus bimaculatus
- Octopus rubescens
- Octopus sinensis
- Octopus tetricus
- Octopus vulgaris
- Octopus micropyrsus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Mollusca
- Class
- Cephalopoda
- Order
- Octopoda
- Family
- Octopodidae
- Genus
- Octopus
- Species
- Octopus bimaculoides
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo