Witnessing a weird octopus is a real treat on the reef

By Susan Scott

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 04, 2012

~~<p>I am rarely spooked by anything in the ocean anymore, but last week a reef animal caused me to leap from the water with a cry of alarm.</p>
<p>I was snorkeling in about 3 feet of clear water when a dark, narrow object shot past me from behind, passing close to my ear. Attack! A moment later, however, I found myself not under attack at all, but hovering eye to eye over a big, healthy octopus. The octopus looked as startled to see me as I was to see it.</p>
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I am rarely spooked by anything in the ocean anymore, but last week a reef animal caused me to leap from the water with a cry of alarm.

I was snorkeling in about 3 feet of clear water when a dark, narrow object shot past me from behind, passing close to my ear. Attack! A moment later, however, I found myself not under attack at all, but hovering eye to eye over a big, healthy octopus. The octopus looked as startled to see me as I was to see it. Login for more...