Octopus is one of the ocean's most intelligent and fascinating predators

The octopus is one of nature's biggest mysteries. Possessing no bones, these creatures are invertebrates. In fact, the octopus is the most intelligent invertebrate on earth. With highly complex memory and reasoning skills, flexibility and fluidity of movement that is unparalleled, and shocking strength, this is one of nature's greatest predators. It hunts most by night and it takes its prey by surprise.
The octopus can move with great stealth, reaching into the tiniest crevices and passing through surprisingly small gaps in the coral in search of fish and crustaceans that hide for protection. They can grip their prey with powerful suction cups and envelop them with their bodies if they escape the tentacles. A razor sharp beak kills swiftly once the prey is captured. It is no secret why most fish fear the octopus so much.
For scuba divers, catching sight of one of these beautiful and mysterious creatures is a rare treat. The octopus is reclusive during the day and is most commonly seen after dark with the aid of lights, as this is when it comes out to hunt. Octopus are also hunted at night and they are a preferred food for sea lions, large moray eels, and sharks. The octopus is as wary as he is fearsome.
These scuba divers were exploring the reefs of Papua New Guinea when they came across this beautiful male specimen out looking for a mate. After observing the octopus closely for a few minutes, divers moved back and saw that there was a large female close by. The male wasted no time in making her acquaintance and the two were amorously engaged within minutes.
Sadly, males and females will both undergo a metabolic change after mating that causes them to cease eating and digesting. The male dies a few weeks after mating and the female dies soon after her eggs hatch several months later. An octopus typically lives 6 months to 5 years, depending on the species. For all but one octopus species, they mate only once, and it is always fatal. Nature is full of beauty and cruel irony at the same time.