ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Adorable Dumbo octopus makes surprise appearance on camera

The elusive creature lives deep beneath the ocean's surface.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
October 30, 2018
in Animals, Biology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
Credit: Giphy/YouTube.
Credit: Giphy/YouTube.

Thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface, scientists came across a dazzling sight with the help of the prying eye of an unmanned robotic submersible. Under a background of giggles and ovations, the video that the researchers recorded features an adorable-looking dumbo octopus, named so because its flapping fins on the side of its head resemble the famous Disney character.

There are 13 known species of dumbo octopuses (Grimpoteuthis), all of whom live close to the ocean floor at depths of 3,000 to 4,000 meters (9,800 to 13,000 feet). These small animals are easily recognizable by a pair of fins located on their mantle and webbing between their eight arms. Their favorite food is comprised of snails, worms, and other creatures that live on the ocean floor.

At such depths, catching a glimpse of a dumbo octopus is very rare, which explains all the “all my gosh!” reactions of the crew from the E/V Nautilus research vessel. The actual footage was shot by a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) named Hercules.

“Oh, and the world loves a dumbo,” one of the crew marveled. And I’m sure we all can agree.

While the researchers were enraptured by the eerie sight, they still made sure to study the animal. Lasers mounted on the ROV measured the deep-sea ghost at 60 cm (2 feet) long, which is on the hefty side as far as these species are concerned.

Although they were grateful for Dumbo’s visit, the researchers weren’t actually searching for it. Instead, they were tasked with surveying the Davidson Seamount, an extinct volcano in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The Monterey Bay region where the Dumbo octopus was sighted is packed with corals, sponges, and numerous other invertebrates — a sort of ‘oasis of the deep’ that attracts all sorts of animals. Indeed such hotspots are teeming with life as the researchers would come to know. Only a few days after the Dumbo sighting, the Nautilus crew stumbled across an immense octopus nesting site where more than 1,000 mothers were nursing their young.

RelatedPosts

The Surprising Sleep of Sperm Whales: Vertical Naps in the Ocean Deep
The bizarre frogfish has “fishing motor neurons” controlling the rods on its head
Venomous love: These male octopuses inject venom into females so they can escape being eaten
The Opioid Crisis Has Reached the Gulf of Mexico’s Dolphins

 

Tags: deep sea lifedumbo octopusmarine biology

Share48TweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

Invertebrates

7 Extraordinary Jellyfish That Prove You Don’t Need a Spine to Be Awesome

byShiella Olimpos
1 month ago
Invertebrates

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago
Climate

Scientists Create “Bait” to Lure Baby Corals Back to Dying Reefs

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago
Animals

Sharks Aren’t Silent After All. This One Clicks Like a Castanet

byJordan Strickler
3 months ago

Recent news

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

July 4, 2025

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

July 4, 2025

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

July 4, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.