'Super octo-mom' off B.C. coast fights king crabs to protect her young

A standoff witnessed during a deep-sea research trip off the coast of Vancouver Island showednothing is more powerful than a mother's love.

A group of researchers said they witnessed a protective mother octopus fighting off fiveking crabs surrounding her and her eggs.

"It was magical ... there was not a dry eye on that boat," said marine biologist Cherisse Du Preezwith Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), who was on thetrip earlier this month.

The two week-long expedition to explore and research B.C.'s deep-sea biodiversity was run by DFO in collaboration with local First Nations.

WATCH | Expedition seeks to understand deep sea, how to protect it:marine biologist:

Scientists explore B.C.'s deep sea habitats

1 year ago

Duration 3:00

Dr. Cherisse Du Preez, a researcher at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, shares findings from an unprecedented deep-sea expedition off the coast of B.C. including the story of an octopus protecting its unhatched young.

The crew watched from their submersible for two hours as the crabs pinched the octopus and tore at her arms,on the ocean floor about 50 kilometres off the coast of Hesquiat Harbour, on Vancouver Island's west coast. The mother octopus was part of a nursery with dozens of others guarding their young.

But "super octo-mom," as the team called her, was able to get several punches in.

"She would curl her arms up and let loose and hit these crabs away," said Du Preez.

For Du Preez, she said the experience went beyond science, speakingto the similarities some life on Earth share, particularly the drive to keep our young safe.

"It was that connection with an animal that is living its life on our planet, seemingly removed from us, but sharing so many of the same struggles."

The vessel's camera footage was broadcastedliveto thousands of viewerson social media. Du Preez saidthe team received an outpouring of love and gratitude.

"That's why we have little octopuses. The moms are kicking ass and they're continuing to exist."

Years without a meal

Du Preez said this type of octopus, the graneledone boreopacifica, spends the longest amount of time of any creature in the world guarding their eggs.

While the exact gestation period is unknown, scientists know from past observations it is at least four and a half years, she said.

Du Preezsaid she believes the crabs targeted this mother as she was nearing the end of her gestation period. Having not eaten for years, the mother looked weak and pale.

And the eggs looked about ready to hatch.

"These crabs they know that if they're patient they'll be rewarded with these meals," said Du Preez.

Du Preez estimates the eggs could have hatched days later, shortly after which the mother would die.The crabs would have likely returned and feasted on the mother.

"She sacrificed so much, her young made it off safely, then the crabs got to eat."