Octopus (Unidentified)
This was definitely one of our coolest finds. We go so excited about it, we must have taken a million photos of him! He was very small, and solid pale yellow. He had very long thin arms, covered with tiny bumps. There are several species of octopi in Hawaii, however none of them fit this description. He is possibly a juvenile Ornate Octopus, but we are not sure. For now, he remains unidentified. It is important to note, that ALL octopi are capable of delivering a very painful and sometimes venomous bite. In the bucket with him is a partridge tun.
This octopi has been the topic of many
conversations between Mark and I recently. Within the last week we have
captured and observed more then half a dozen of these guys, all in the
same area. Often we find ourselves capturing the same one, (identifiable
by one of his missing arms) several nights apart, demonstrating their
preference of staying in one territory. We have also observed him
feeding on shrimp as well as changing colors and textures to suit his surroundings. What was even more interesting was watching him rapidly change colors while munching away on his dinner, as if his color changed with each bite. Spending time with him in our bucket, we were also able to witness just how smart these guys are. He was actually measuring the sides of the bucket with his arms, before calculating just how to get out! He also exhibited some very peculiar behavior, like turning himself upside down and displaying his suckers as seen in the picture. He is identifiable by the distinct crescent shaped marks on his head, just above the eyes.
With every new octopus species I find, I become more and more fascinated with them. The one in the picture, was not the first ornate octopus I have seen. I was was wading in water about waste deep at night when I came across my first one. He was huge, having an arm span of at least 3 feet. He was camouflaged in the sand and i didn't see him until I almost stepped on him. When I got too close, he instantly turned a brilliant orange revealing himself to me like a giant spider on the ocean floor. Scared the crap outta me! He stretched himself out as big as possible and kinda stood up a little to make himself more scary looking. After a bit of a struggle I managed to catch him and get him in my bucket. I snapped the lid shut, and climbed to shore. As I was digging around in my backpack to find my camera, he managed to snake one of the tips of his tentacles out of the air holes on the lid of the bucket. He then proceeded to reach round, unlatch the bucket lid, and let himself out. The entire ordeal lasted less then 10 seconds, and he was gone before i could even get a picture. Later that night I was lucky and came across a much smaller specimen and was able to get some photos. This particular octopus can be rather aggressive and has a mildly venomous bite! They are identified by their elongated head, orange skin, and white spots and stripes.
Partridge tun's are huge nocturnal molluscs found to depths of about 30 feet. I couldn't believe how beautiful he was! While Mark was busy taking pictures of him, I was a few yards away when i caught the octopus in the post above. You can see him moving about in the video. We found both of them along one of the breaker walls in the Waikiki boat harbor.
Hawaiian Turban
This marine snail is heavily harvested throughout the pacific due to its high content of mother-of-pearl. Its shell is polished and often carved into jewelry and buttons. Its shell can be brightly colored, or brown and white as in this specimen. In the first photo you can see it shooting a stream of water from its large siphon.
Red Margin Spanish Dancer
This has to be one of the luckiest finds, and most beautiful! This Spanish dancer is a type of swimming sea slug. I was wading in the ocean at Waikiki at night with my net looking for crabs, and this gorgeous creature practically swam right into me! At first I thought it was a piece of clothing or fabric floating in the water, but I soon realized it was not! These guys are nocturnal, and hard to come by.
Although these are common here in Hawaii, I was still extremely excited to find this guy. They are nocturnal, and found under rocks or in sea caves during the day. The name comes from the two tentacles sprouting from there head that looks like rabbit ears. These are very graceful animals, that move just like a land slug. They are hermaphrodites, and contain both male and female reproductive organs. When it is time to mate, these slugs will "congregate" in one area. They line up, and each slug acts as a male to the slug in front, and a female to the slug behind, basically creating a "mating chain". How weird is that?
This is a small sea hare, that is often found under rocks in shallow water. They are found in all warm seas, world wide. They are great at camouflage, and can be difficult to find for this reason.
This is deffinatly one of the weirder sea hares I have found. I was staring right at it for a while and never noticed it. The are a very fat sea hare, and when you first see one, your impression is that it was chopped in half. New research has shown that this animal could potentially have anti-cancer properties.
This small slug is found on silty sandy bottoms in shallow waters. The name comes from its feeding style. It feeds on chloroplasts of underwater algae by piercing individual cells of the algae, and "sucks" out the insides.
Easily the most bizarre creature I have found. When I first stumbled upon it, I was not even sure it was a living thing. When I realized it was alive, I could not for the life of me figure out what it was. In fact, I was afraid of it! This slug can camouflage so well, that you are likely never to see one in your life, even if you are looking for it. Its name comes from the way that it captures its food. The weird translucent appendage on its head unfolds like a giant net to capture tiny crustaceans. they are kinda like a cross between a venus fly trap, a caterpillar, slug, and a dragon. I found two of them next to each other, and was able to get some video footage of them.
This funny looking animal is a sort of shelled sea slug. Its delicate white body does not retract completely into its shell like a traditional snail, but rather folds itself AROUND the shell. It is found only at night and usually in shallow water where it come out to feed on bristle worms. It is generally only found in numbers during the winter months here in Hawaii.
Pretty obvious how it got its name, this slug is actually more related to the land slugs you find in your garden, then to true marine slugs. However, it is only found around the water in the splash zones of rocky walls and intertidal zones. It is able to breath air, using a lung-like organ located in the rear of its mantle. Scientists have a particular interest in this species because it seems to be developing a evolutionary change of returning to the water, linking the current two groups of slugs, the marine and land.
This bivalve is found in groups under rocks in shallow water or tide pools. It ranges in size from super tiny, to about two inches. The one in the picture is quite large, and the only one I have found big enough to photograph. These are often found with a type of marine flatworm, that might have some kind of unknown association with them.
Black-Lipped Pearl Oyster
This large oyster is the one the produces the highly prized and expensive Tahitian black pearls. Unfortunatly it is extremely rare to acctually find a wild pearl, thus most are now farm raised and produced. This particular oyster was once very abundant in Hawaii, but like many other animals, it was driven to near extinction in Hawaii by over harvesting. Since than, it is now illegal in Hawaii to take a live oyster, but the wild populations have never recovered. Currently in Hawaii, there are several attemps being made to breed this oyster in the wild to try and re-populate the islands with them. Fingers crossed!
While This particular cone shell is not very attractive, Its still a very cool find. Cone shells are home to a sometimes deadly group of marine snails capable of harpooning their victims with a lethal venom, that in some species is responsible for human fatalities. Cones hunt at night, and "sniff" out their prey (usually sleeping fish), After they sneak up on them they harpoon them, and basically swallow them whole. They are capable of eating fish many times larger then themselves. Cones shells should never be handled if at all possible! Check out this awesome YouTube video (not by me) showing a cone shell hunting and eating its prey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYh2zeAsRXY
Unfortunately I have not had much luck with finding cones. Most of the cones I have found have been crusted over, and thus do not show their true beauty. Contrary to the photos I have, cones are actually quite pretty. Most cones are brightly colored and have beautiful patterns on their shells. A simple Google search will prove my point. This cone is bright yellow to light brown, with a brilliant purple inside. It is one of the most common cones found in Hawaii.
This beautiful Cowry is one of the larger cowry's here in Hawaii. Cowry's are rapidly disappearing from reefs world wide do to over harvesting for their shells. Its easy to see why their shells are so highly prized, but unfortunately the animal is killed in order to obtain the shell. In ancient Hawaii, the shells were harvested to carve into tools, as well as used for lures to catch octopus. We are very careful to protect this beautiful creature, and we always make sure we put them back right where we got them.Their shells remain so perfectly polished due to the fact that the mollusc extends its mantle and wraps it completely around its shell to camouflage itself. The smaller pictures show it in its immature juvenile state.
This small but pretty cowry was found in a tide pool by Diamond Head. The second picture shows the animals mantle extended and covering its shell.
This orange-brown cowry is identifiable by the purple coloring on the ends of its shell. They are usually found at depths exceeding 60 ft, but I was lucky enough to find one in a tide pool at Diamond Head Beach Park.
This unique cowry is unmistakable from any other cowry due to its unusual shape and color. Look for an oblongated shell, thin lines and dashes running the length of its shell. can be found near the shore under rocks.
I was not able to find much information about this guy, as he is apparently pretty uncommon. I found him at night clinging to a rock and was amazed by his coloration. Drupes, the group of mollusks that he belongs to, are represented by over 25 species here in Hawaii, some endemic. Drupes are kind of like the spiders of the sea. They have a special boring organ that they use to drill a hole in the shell of another mollusk (their prey). Once they make a hole, they inject a toxin that kills and liquifies its prey so that it can "drink" the victim. Hmmm...mabey I should not have been holding him...
Another beautiful addition in the droupe family, this is one of the largest. Recognizable by the vivid violet coloring on the inside of its shells. This like a lot of molluscs feeds on various marine worms.
Probably one of the few droupes that has a more pretty outer shell then the inside. But still a pretty cool snail!
Hairy triton is a term used to describe any of the three species of triton that are covered in a fine hair-like coating. Triton's can obtain lengths of anywhere from an inch to over two feet! Hairy triton's are generally pretty small, but beautiful none the less. They paralyze and kill their prey with a mixture of 3 different venom's! Quite the chemist!
These small mollusks live in the splash zones or rocks, high up, were the water only occasionally gets them wet. They sometimes congregate by the thousands to graze on the algae and to mate. during calm seas or low tide, they seal themselves against the rock with a layer of mucus to prevent themselves from drying out until they get wet again. A man from the Bishop Museum here in Hawaii documented a periwinkle that climbed out of its tank, high up on the wall and sealed its self there for a year. When it was plucked off and placed back into the water, it immediately came back to life. Incredible!
Similar in habits to the Dotted Periwinkle, this small species is endemic to Hawaii. These marbled periwinkles range in color and pattern depending on where they are located in Hawaii. This particular one was found in Waikiki.
Yellow-Foot Opihi
Limpets, also known as "Chinamans hats" and "Opihi" in Hawaiian, are a group of inter-tidal mollusks found throughout the world. They are unique because they are not completely enclosed by a shell like most mollusks. There body consists of a very strong suction cup like muscle that they use to hold themselves tightly to the rocks. When the tide lowers, they seal themselves tightly to the rocks to prevent themselves from drying out. These are a popular delacasy throughout Asian cuisine where they are eaten both raw and smoked.
This bivalve was found in the Kaneohe sand bars off the East coast of Hawaii. Most of this animal is underground, and you are unlikley to see more than just the tip of the open shell sticking out of the sand. A bit of digging, and you will produce a beautiful elongated spiny shell. There use to be vast beds of these off the leeward coasts of the Hawaiian Islands, but unfortunatly several Hurricanes and tropical storms destroyed them all in the early 1980's.
Crescent Octopus
Ornate Octopus
With every new octopus species I find, I become more and more fascinated with them. The one in the picture, was not the first ornate octopus I have seen. I was was wading in water about waste deep at night when I came across my first one. He was huge, having an arm span of at least 3 feet. He was camouflaged in the sand and i didn't see him until I almost stepped on him. When I got too close, he instantly turned a brilliant orange revealing himself to me like a giant spider on the ocean floor. Scared the crap outta me! He stretched himself out as big as possible and kinda stood up a little to make himself more scary looking. After a bit of a struggle I managed to catch him and get him in my bucket. I snapped the lid shut, and climbed to shore. As I was digging around in my backpack to find my camera, he managed to snake one of the tips of his tentacles out of the air holes on the lid of the bucket. He then proceeded to reach round, unlatch the bucket lid, and let himself out. The entire ordeal lasted less then 10 seconds, and he was gone before i could even get a picture. Later that night I was lucky and came across a much smaller specimen and was able to get some photos. This particular octopus can be rather aggressive and has a mildly venomous bite! They are identified by their elongated head, orange skin, and white spots and stripes.
Partridge Tun
Partridge tun's are huge nocturnal molluscs found to depths of about 30 feet. I couldn't believe how beautiful he was! While Mark was busy taking pictures of him, I was a few yards away when i caught the octopus in the post above. You can see him moving about in the video. We found both of them along one of the breaker walls in the Waikiki boat harbor.
Hawaiian Turban
Red Margin Spanish Dancer
This has to be one of the luckiest finds, and most beautiful! This Spanish dancer is a type of swimming sea slug. I was wading in the ocean at Waikiki at night with my net looking for crabs, and this gorgeous creature practically swam right into me! At first I thought it was a piece of clothing or fabric floating in the water, but I soon realized it was not! These guys are nocturnal, and hard to come by.
Painted Nudibranch
This nudibranch is found in areas that has silty, murkey waters. Unfortunatly that makes it more difficult to photograph. I found this guy on my lunch break around noon, lurking around the bottom of the boat harbour in Waikiki. Such a beautiful specimin! Nudibranch's are carnivores that feed on small corals, anemones, mollusks, and sometimes even other nudibranches!
White-Speckled Sea Hare
Common Sea Hare
Eared Sea Hare
Ringed sap-sucking slug
Throw-Net Slug
Easily the most bizarre creature I have found. When I first stumbled upon it, I was not even sure it was a living thing. When I realized it was alive, I could not for the life of me figure out what it was. In fact, I was afraid of it! This slug can camouflage so well, that you are likely never to see one in your life, even if you are looking for it. Its name comes from the way that it captures its food. The weird translucent appendage on its head unfolds like a giant net to capture tiny crustaceans. they are kinda like a cross between a venus fly trap, a caterpillar, slug, and a dragon. I found two of them next to each other, and was able to get some video footage of them.
Swollen Bubble Shell
Warty Slug
Pretty obvious how it got its name, this slug is actually more related to the land slugs you find in your garden, then to true marine slugs. However, it is only found around the water in the splash zones of rocky walls and intertidal zones. It is able to breath air, using a lung-like organ located in the rear of its mantle. Scientists have a particular interest in this species because it seems to be developing a evolutionary change of returning to the water, linking the current two groups of slugs, the marine and land.
Brown Purse Shells
This bivalve is found in groups under rocks in shallow water or tide pools. It ranges in size from super tiny, to about two inches. The one in the picture is quite large, and the only one I have found big enough to photograph. These are often found with a type of marine flatworm, that might have some kind of unknown association with them.
Black-Lipped Pearl Oyster
This large oyster is the one the produces the highly prized and expensive Tahitian black pearls. Unfortunatly it is extremely rare to acctually find a wild pearl, thus most are now farm raised and produced. This particular oyster was once very abundant in Hawaii, but like many other animals, it was driven to near extinction in Hawaii by over harvesting. Since than, it is now illegal in Hawaii to take a live oyster, but the wild populations have never recovered. Currently in Hawaii, there are several attemps being made to breed this oyster in the wild to try and re-populate the islands with them. Fingers crossed!Spiteful Cone
Yellow Cone
Unfortunately I have not had much luck with finding cones. Most of the cones I have found have been crusted over, and thus do not show their true beauty. Contrary to the photos I have, cones are actually quite pretty. Most cones are brightly colored and have beautiful patterns on their shells. A simple Google search will prove my point. This cone is bright yellow to light brown, with a brilliant purple inside. It is one of the most common cones found in Hawaii.
Humpback Cowry
This beautiful Cowry is one of the larger cowry's here in Hawaii. Cowry's are rapidly disappearing from reefs world wide do to over harvesting for their shells. Its easy to see why their shells are so highly prized, but unfortunately the animal is killed in order to obtain the shell. In ancient Hawaii, the shells were harvested to carve into tools, as well as used for lures to catch octopus. We are very careful to protect this beautiful creature, and we always make sure we put them back right where we got them.Their shells remain so perfectly polished due to the fact that the mollusc extends its mantle and wraps it completely around its shell to camouflage itself. The smaller pictures show it in its immature juvenile state.
Snakehead Cowry
Honey Cowry
This orange-brown cowry is identifiable by the purple coloring on the ends of its shell. They are usually found at depths exceeding 60 ft, but I was lucky enough to find one in a tide pool at Diamond Head Beach Park.
Reticulated Cowry
This is my favorite cowry so far. Its absolutely beautiful. Pictures really don't do it justice. Obtains its largest size at around 2.5 inches. It can be found around rocky shores in holes or under ledges.
Isabella's Cowry
Goldring Drupe
I was not able to find much information about this guy, as he is apparently pretty uncommon. I found him at night clinging to a rock and was amazed by his coloration. Drupes, the group of mollusks that he belongs to, are represented by over 25 species here in Hawaii, some endemic. Drupes are kind of like the spiders of the sea. They have a special boring organ that they use to drill a hole in the shell of another mollusk (their prey). Once they make a hole, they inject a toxin that kills and liquifies its prey so that it can "drink" the victim. Hmmm...mabey I should not have been holding him...
Mulberry Droupe
White-Lipped Droupe
Probably one of the few droupes that has a more pretty outer shell then the inside. But still a pretty cool snail!
Hairy Triton
Hairy triton is a term used to describe any of the three species of triton that are covered in a fine hair-like coating. Triton's can obtain lengths of anywhere from an inch to over two feet! Hairy triton's are generally pretty small, but beautiful none the less. They paralyze and kill their prey with a mixture of 3 different venom's! Quite the chemist!
Dotted Periwinkle
These small mollusks live in the splash zones or rocks, high up, were the water only occasionally gets them wet. They sometimes congregate by the thousands to graze on the algae and to mate. during calm seas or low tide, they seal themselves against the rock with a layer of mucus to prevent themselves from drying out until they get wet again. A man from the Bishop Museum here in Hawaii documented a periwinkle that climbed out of its tank, high up on the wall and sealed its self there for a year. When it was plucked off and placed back into the water, it immediately came back to life. Incredible!
Hawaiian Periwinkle
Similar in habits to the Dotted Periwinkle, this small species is endemic to Hawaii. These marbled periwinkles range in color and pattern depending on where they are located in Hawaii. This particular one was found in Waikiki.
Yellow-Foot Opihi
Polished Nerite
This is one of nine species of Nerites that live in Hawaii. This particular species lives under the sand during the day, high up on the beach. At night it emerges to feed on algae on surrounding stones and breaker walls.
Black Nerite
This is the most common Nerite most often seen by people in Hawaii. By day you can find hundreds of these tightly clinging to rocks out of the water. Even tho this is a marine snail, it is rarley seen in the water, but above the waterline where they get occasionally splashed by water.
Yellow-Foot Opihi
Prickly Pen Shell
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