Why Do Mama Octopuses Raise Their Young in Groups? "Warm Fissures" and Evolutionary Strategies: How Temperature Changed the Rhythm of Octopus Life

In the "Octopus Garden" located on the seabed off the coast of California, thousands of octopus relatives (Muusoctopus robustus) create nests in the seabed crevices to protect their eggs. Recent research has revealed that rare "warm seepage" is emanating in this cold deep-sea environment. The temperature is approximately 5 to 11°C higher than the surroundings, which shortens the typical 5 to 8-year development period for deep-sea eggs to about 1.8 years (approximately 21 months), thereby reducing predation risks. Since its discovery in 2018, over 6,000 individuals have been identified, suggesting a total population size possibly reaching 20,000. On social media, there have been expressions of awe such as "nature's hot tub" and "the devotion of mother octopuses," alongside numerous concerns about deep-sea mining. This scientific discovery highlights the importance of establishing protected areas and conducting environmental assessments. The research, led by a paper in Science Advances and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), centers on the finding that "warm crevices = natural incubators."