Giant octopus wraps itself around diver’s face

A scuba diver exploring marine life in the waters off Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, experienced a once-in-a-lifetime encounter recently when a giant octopus wrapped itself around her head.

Natasha Dickinson was doing research with her dive buddy, Jackie Hildering, when the pair got up close and personal with a giant Pacific octopus.

“It was fantastic, to actually be looking into her,” Dickinson said.

Watching in awe, Hildering jumped into action and start snapping photos with her camera.

At first, Hildering was concerned for her dive buddy, but then realised that both Dickinson and the octopus were not afraid.

Hildering documented the encounter on her blog, The Marine Detective, in the hopes of educating people about the often misunderstood predator.

“So what to do when you find a giant Pacific octopus on your dive buddy’s head? Observe, marvel, take some photos, share and maybe it can help dispel some of the mythology and vilification about these fabulous marine neighbours,” wrote Hildering.

Hildering said any negative encounters between giant Pacific octopuses and humans that she’s aware of generally involved divers interfering with the creatures.

Source: www.ctvnews.ca

Photo: ©Jackie Hildering themarinedetective.ca