The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

This chapter takes place in the summer of 2012. Octavia has laid eggs and is in the process of caring for them, though they won’t hatch because a male has not fertilized them. The mating and egg-hatching process represents the end of life for adult octopuses: Males die soon after mating, and females die after their eggs hatch. Female giant Pacific octopuses lay up to 100,000 eggs in the wild, and then protect and watch over them to the exclusion of all else—including eating. They stay with their eggs, help them hatch as paralarvae (part of plankton), and then die from starvation. Octavia turns white and is missing an arm (though octopuses can regenerate perfectly good new arms) as she begins her final stage of life. Montgomery writes, “During the summer of Octavia’s eggs, I find transformation everywhere I look” (103).

Kali provides some unexpected moments during this time. Once, while Montgomery, Anna, and Wilson were interacting with her, she suddenly drenches Anna with water from her funnel and then bites Anna’s thumb with her beak. Anna, Wilson, and the first aid staff attend to Anna, trying to determine whether Kali used her venom as well, but it doesn’t appear to be a serious bite.