VIDEO: Seattle scuba diver spots elusive octopus in Puget Sound

SEATTLE (KOMO) — A Seattle scuba diver spotted an elusive animal lurking beneath the surface of Puget Sound.

Avid Seattle scuba diver and photographer Nate Paradiso stumbled upon a giant Pacific octopus and its unique behavior during his dive at Saltwater State Park near Des Moines, Wash.

Capturing rare footage of an octopus gliding through the water is nothing short of exhilarating," said Paradiso. "It felt like uncovering an alien world."

"Octopuses are found throughout the world but the giant octopus occurs only along the Pacific rim of North America from California northward through British Columbia and Alaska, and across to Japan," according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine fisheries review. "Its center of abundance appears to be Puget Sound in Washington State and British Columbia."

Paradiso said encountering octopuses straying from their dwellings is very uncommon. He told KOMO he dives weekly and hardly ever sees an octopus.

The giant Pacific octopus is the largest octopus species on Earth, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). They typically can weigh up to 150 pounds and can grow to an arm span of 20 feet.

However, the largest ever recorded individual weighed 600 pounds and had a 30-foot arm span, said the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) on its website.

As Paradiso captured in the video, the WDFW said the octopus can change color to express emotion, comfort, and intention. They can even change their texture to mimic their surroundings.

The species is incredibly smart, according to the NMNH, and uses this intellect to protect its eggs from predators.

"The giant Pacific octopus is carnivorous; its diet includes shrimp, crab, scallop, clam, lobster, fish, and soft-bodied prey," said the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) on its website. "They have been known to scavenge larger fish and birds. They have excellent eyesight."

While they are predators, the ADFG said, the octopuses are also eaten by virtually everything that can catch them, including sea lions, seals, fish, birds, and people. This is where their camouflage seemingly comes in handy.

They can also swim to escape predators. The species can sometimes be found as deep as nearly 5,000 feet below the surface of the ocean, according to the ADFG.

The only hard part of the giant Pacific octopus is its parrot-like beak, said the ADFG. The species can squeeze through any hole large enough to fit its beak, so this means a 50-pound octopus can fit through a two-inch hole.

Despite having the greatest brain-to-body-size ratio of any invertebrate on Earth, the ADFG said these brilliant animals only live for three to five years.

"The excitement and awe that washed over me as I witnessed this spectacle was truly indescribable," Paradiso said. "It's moments like these that reaffirm my profound connection to the marine world and inspire me to continue exploring its mysteries."

The WDFW said several popular dive sites in Puget Sound are octopus protection areas that offer additional protection for the species. In these areas, recreational harvest is prohibited, but viewing is perfectly fine.