Fauna
Invertebrate

Maori Octopus

Macroctopus maorum

Also known as New Zealand Octopus, Māori Octopus

Māori octopuses are formidable, highly intelligent predators that dominate the rocky reefs and kelp forests of New Zealand and southern Australia. They use their immense, muscular arms to pry open stubborn shellfish and can rapidly shift both their skin color and texture to blend seamlessly into the seafloor. During the breeding season, females retreat into deep rocky dens to guard their massive clutches of eggs, refusing to eat until the young hatch.

MarineIntelligentCamouflage
Maori Octopus reference
"maorikrake, maori octopus, new zealand octopus" by Luca Davenport-Thomas is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySouthern Rock Lobster, Paddle Crabs, Bony Fish
Predators
  • New Zealand Fur Seal
  • Broadnose Sevengill Shark
  • Dolphins
ThreatsHabitat degradation, climate change, and localized overfishing
HabitatsRocky reefs, kelp forests, seagrass meadows, and sandy seafloors
Life span2 to 3 years
Classification
  1. FamilyOctopodidae
  2. SpeciesMacroctopus maorum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Can deliver a painful bite with a sharp beak and toxic saliva; do not handle.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses a sharp chitinous beak and salivary glands that inject a mild paralyzing venom to subdue prey, which can cause pain and swelling in humans.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a large, reddish-brown to orange-brown octopus with long, robust arms and white spots or mottling along its body.
What to do
Observe these intelligent creatures from a respectful distance while diving or tide-pooling, and never attempt to touch or pull them from their dens.
Responsible observation
  • Look for Middens: Search near rocky crevices for piles of discarded crab and bivalve shells, which indicate an active octopus den nearby.
  • Watch the Color: Observe their skin patterns from a distance to see them mimic surrounding kelp and rock textures in real time.
  • Keep Your Distance: Avoid blocking the entrance to a den, as this can cause unnecessary stress to a nesting female.
Related species
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