This US diver experienced a great encounter with a seemingly friendly octopus that appeared to shake his hand.

Footage captured off the coast of Washington shows the diver approaching the octopus hidden under a rock.

The octopus then stretches out one of its tentacles to hold onto the diver's hand and eventually gives away.

The diver told Newsflare: ''Giant Pacific octopuses are curious and intelligent animals.''

''They will interact with divers, especially when the diver lets the octopus decide how much, so I put my hand out and the octopus takes a hold.

''I wonder what it is thinking "Is this thing alive? Can I eat it?

''Octopuses can taste with their suckers, but my suit prevents it from touching my skin so the octopus must really wonder if I am alive.''

The clip, filmed in April 2013, recently emerged online.

Giant Pacific octopuses are curious and intelligent animals. They will interact with divers, especially when the diver lets the octopus decide how much. So I put my hand out and the octopus takes a hold. I wonder what it is thinking "Is this thing alive? Can I eat it? ". Octopuses can taste with their suckers, but my suit prevents it from touching my skin so the octopus must really wonder if I am alive.