SEASIDE, Ore. – What is anti-social, has eight arms and recently laid about 3,000 eggs?

Photo courtesy of Seaside Aquarium

The large, dark spots are the eyes in these octopus eggs.

If you guessed an octopus at the Seaside Aquarium, you’re right.

A small cephalopod, known as Octopus rubescens, or the Red Octopus, became a mother a few weeks ago and staff members expect the diaphanous eggs to hatch anytime now.

  SLIDESHOW: View the eggs

“We will keep some [of the hatched octopi] on display and the rest we plan to release into a protected inter-tidal area where their chances for survival are greater,” said aquarium spokeswoman Tiffany Boothe.

When the eggs hatch, they will resemble minuscule octopi.

The ocean animals are considered highly intelligent, with a learning capacity similar to that of rats. They are not, however, very social.

“Social behavior between members of this species is limited to mating and non-tolerant interactions at any other time. It appears that they just don't like each other very much, and live solitary lives whenever possible,” Boothe said.

In fact, octopi frequently block the entrance to their dwelling with rocks and debris to keep others away.