Only the female Giant Pacific octopuses are semelparous; meaning they breed just one single time in their life. After reproduction, they enter a stage called senescence, which involves obvious changes in behavior and appearance, including a reduced appetite, retraction of skin around the eyes giving them a more pronounced appearance, increased activity in uncoordinated patterns, and white lesions all over the body. While the duration of this stage is variable, it typically lasts about one to two months. Death is typically attributed to starvation, as the females stop hunting and instead protect their eggs; males often spend more time in the open, making them more likely to be preyed upon.