Help Us Welcome Our Giant Pacific Octopus

Exciting news at Butterfly Pavilion: We will be welcoming a Giant Pacific Octopus.

Doubling in size to 1,100 square feet with over 3,000 gallons of saltwater, our expanded Waters Edge gallery features 12 total habitats and a very special new resident, the Giant Pacific Octopus.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to see what’s new, here is everything you need to know about our brilliant new resident and how we ensure their well-being every day.

1. Ethical Sourcing & World-Class Care

We know an animal as extraordinary and intelligent as an octopus deserves exceptional care. As an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)-accredited institution, Butterfly Pavilion holds animal welfare and conservation above all else:

• Sustainably Sourced: Our juvenile octopus comes to us via a licensed, strictly regulated operator off the coast of British Columbia, managed in full compliance with AZA standards to ensure wild populations remain protected.

• Thriving vs. Surviving: In the wild, only about 1% of Giant Pacific Octopuses survive to adulthood. In our care, she receives top-tier veterinary care, specialized nutrition, and a purpose-built habitat.

• Daily Enrichment: Octopuses are famous problem-solvers. Our animal care team provides daily puzzles, toys, and novel challenges to keep them curious, mentally stimulated, and engaged.

• Designed for Comfort: In nature, GPOs spend up to 94% of their time resting in or near their dens. Our exhibit was specifically built to be larger than required, offering plenty of cozy crevices where she can feel safe and secure, so if she’s tucked away when you pass by, know that’s healthy, natural behavior!

2. A Mind Unlike Any Other

Did you know that octopuses have nine brains and blue blood?

• Two-thirds of their neurons live in their eight arms, allowing each arm to taste, touch, and solve problems semi-independently!

• They can recognize human faces, open jar lids, change color and texture in an instant, and navigate complex mazes.

3. Connecting Local Curiosity to Global Conservation

Why bring a Giant Pacific Octopus to Butterfly Pavilion? Because connection drives conservation.

Most people will never encounter a GPO in the wild. Meeting an ambassador animal face-to-face inspires wonder and builds a direct connection to ocean health. Best of all, this exhibit directly supports real-world impact: Butterfly Pavilion is actively funding efforts to restore the Pacific kelp forests, the vital marine ecosystem that wild octopuses and thousands of other marine species depend on.

Plan Your Visit

The expanded Water’s Edge exhibit including the GPO habitat and the new Living Tidepool touch tank is included with general admission. In order to safely house our giant pacific octopus, it’s crucial that the water chemistry in our tanks is just right. Our giant pacific octopus is not quite ready for viewing but will be soon. 

Come visit us, test your observation skills, and experience the marvelous hidden depths of the invertebrate world!