Terminally ill giant Pacific octopus guards unfertilized eggs as life nears end

An aging giant Pacific octopus at a Southern California aquarium has begun guarding eggs that will not be fertilized as she enters the final phase of life. Ghost, the female giant Pacific octopus at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, laid eggs in September and is now in senescence, a stage in which appetite wanes and physical changes precede death. Giant Pacific octopuses typically live three to five years in captivity or in the wild, and Ghost arrived at the aquarium in May 2024, according to The Washington Post.

Since arriving at roughly three pounds, Ghost has grown to about 50 pounds, developed bright pink coloration, and remains highly active, solving puzzles and interacting with staff and visitors. She has been described as outgoing and affectionate, often extending her tentacles to greet people and even turning her head toward observers.

The aquarium's vice president of animal care, Nate Jaros, said this is the natural life cycle for the species: females lay eggs right before they die, and then die soon after. No male will be placed in Ghost's tank, since the animals are territorial, meaning the eggs cannot be fertilized. Signs of senescence typically include loss of appetite, diminished pigmentation, reduced arm flexibility, and sometimes white lesions; Jaros said Ghost has shown minimal signs so far but remains devoted to guarding her eggs.

The eggs and Ghost's behavior have drawn emotional responses from visitors. Josie Li, who visited Ghost in January, told The Washington Post, "I hope she knows that she's greatly loved, and she'll be greatly missed." She added, "She's doing what any other female octopus would: lay her eggs and protect them. I know she'd do a good job doing her motherly duties." Nicole Marie Whiting also told The Post that Ghost is her 5-year-old daughter Aurora's favorite animal at the aquarium, describing Aurora's impression as, "She's like a very, very pretty strawberry." Aurora said she hopes Ghost knows she is loved even as death approaches.

Ghost's story underscores the natural life cycle of giant Pacific octopuses and has become a poignant reminder of the finiteness of life for highly intelligent marine invertebrates. The aquarium emphasizes that it will not introduce a mate in Ghost's tank, and caretakers expect the eggs to remain unfertilized as the octopus continues to guard them through the final chapters of her life.