Identification Photos: Mexican Pygmy Octopus, Octopus digueti: The Mexican Pygmy Octopus is small in stature with a mantle of 2 inches and arms that extend to 6 inches. It is common in most intertidal regions within the Sea of Cortez.

We have not been able to find much scientific information about the lifestyle of the Mexican Pygmy Octopus, but we do know that it consumes crabs, crustaceans, fish, gastropods, mysid shrimp, and palaemonid shrimp.

The Mexican Pygmy Octopus is a member of the Octopodidae Family which includes all octopi, known in Mexico as pulpos. They are cephalopods inhabiting a diverse region of the ocean, but especially coral reefs.

All have 8 arms, usually with sucker cups on them. They are highly intelligent and have very short life spans. They remain of interest to the scientific community due to their ability to tell the difference between colors and shapes, which they can retain for up to two years. In some parts of the world they are consumed as food.

We believe we have the correct species identification of the Mexican Pygmy Octopus pictured below. However, we welcome additional comments and pictures of other octopi found in Mexican waters.

Mexican Pygmy Octopus, Octopus digueti: Collected in December 2005, from a tidal pool at Km. 6 on the East Cape Road north of La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Approximately 3 inches in size and "yes" it had an abundance of ink, which was omnipresent during the collection process. We have also seen this octopus in a regurgitated form provided by a monster from the deep. Note: the pictured species only has 7 legs; leg 8 is seen in the bottom photo in a regenerative state. Note: we believe that this species is available at local grocery stores for approximately $2.50 per pound and can be utilized as an excellent bait for fishing "down deep." Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.