The Life Cycle of an Octopus
Having spent more than 35 years in the IT industry, Amita Vadlamudi is well-versed in numerous areas of computer science. Outside of her professional field, Amita Vadlamudi enjoys studying an array of topics, including marine biology and ocean life.
The average octopus is one of approximately 200,000 eggs, only one percent of which will survive long beyond hatching. Octopi live roughly three to five years, depending on the species. They grow very quickly — a testament to their ability to efficiently metabolize the food they intake. A young octopus will grow by about five percent every day until it reaches maturity.
When octopi reach maturity, they reproduce soon afterwards. Each pair will only produce one group of young and die soon afterward. The male octopus usually dies a few months after mating, while the female survives just long enough for the eggs to hatch, a process that can take up to ten months. During this time, she cares for the eggs carefully, keeping them clean and safe.
