Researchers have reported tantalizing findings about the brooding habits of a species of octopus whose females sacrifice their lives to ensure the survival of their young.

One such female octopus belonging to the deep-dwelling Granelodone boreopacifica species monitored by scientists off the coast of California protected her 160 eggs from predators for 4-1/2 years.

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The Granelodone boreopacifica's brooding period of 54 months is by far the longest egg-incubating period ever reported in the animal kingdom.

Researchers monitored this particular female octopus identifiable by a row of unique scars with a remote-controlled submarine.

This female attached itself to a vertical rock face roughly 1,400 meters deep to protect about 160 eggs from predators while keeping them free of debris, according to Reuters.

The eggs, which the mother never left alone, grew from the size of a blueberry to the size of a grape during the brooding period.

Scientists never saw the female eat anything. The female octopus progressively lost weight and its skin became pale and loose.

This female was observed by the scientists during 18 dives over 53 months from May 2007 to September 2011.

Octopi normally exhibit a trait called "semelparity," a reproductive strategy characterized by a single reproductive period shortly before death.

Eggs of shallow-water species hatch in one to three months but the brooding period of the deep-living species is relatively unknown.

The animal kingdom has its incredible share of dedicated parents such as an elephant mom who remains pregnant for almost two years and emperor penguin fathers that incubate eggs on top of their feet while fasting for 64 straight days.

This particular octopus, however, outdid all of them.

The long incubation period lets hatchlings come out of their eggs and be fully functional miniature adults able to fend for themselves. 

TagsMarine, submarines, Octopus, eggs, brood, underwater, Scientists, scientific research, Nature scientific report, remote controlled submarine, depths