Largest known gathering of octopuses discovered off California

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A new study published in Science Advances reveals the existance of a hot springs close to Monterey Bay where some 20,000 female pearl octopuses are believed to gather each year to protect their eggs. “Deep off central California, thousands of octopus migrate through cold dark waters to hydrothermal springs near an extinct volcano to mate, nest, and die, forming the largest known aggregation of octopus on Earth,” the abstract of the study reads. According to the Times’ reporting, the researchers used remote cameras as well as temperature and oxygen probes to watch and gather data on the octopuses and their chosen environment atop the hot spring. Mr Barry said his team has already found another octopus garden five miles north of the initial site and said there could be more elsewhere along the California coast — providing more insight into octopuses and the ocean’s broader importance.