Caring for a Giant Pacific Octopus

Location: Monterey Bay Aquarium in California
Species: Giant Octopus
Added: 2025-11-11
Recorded: 2024-3-4
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Go behind the scenes at the Caring for a Giant Pacific Octopus in California, to meet Chica who is one of the cherished giant Pacific octopus at the Aquarium. Senior aquarist René Carbajal explains how he uses target training, how Chica changes colour according to her mood and why he plays her salsa music in the mornings!

The giant Pacific octopus is an intelligent creature demonstrating complex behaviours like problem-solving, tool use, and recognizing individual people.