DSC_0099 Hutton's Octopus (Octopus huttoni) female guarding fully developed young about to emerge from eggs. Unlike many molluscs, octopus provide maternal care to their developing embryos. Here the majority of eggs are wrapped beneath the thin membrane between her tentacles. A small cluster of fully developed 'freckled' eggs can be seen at the top, just right of centre. Aquarium Point, Otago Harbour *
DSC_5415 Hutton's Octopus (Octopus huttoni) of the 42 species of octopus in NZ, only a couple are commonly encountered. The small fist-sized Hutton's octopus is sometimes found in rock pools, as are juvenile Common octopus, however as common octopus grow, they move into deeper water further out on the reef. Otago Harbour
