Deep Sea Dumbo Octopus: A Rare and Adorable Discovery

If you are a fan of cute animals, you might have heard of the dumbo octopus, a type of octopus that has ear-like fins on its head that resemble the ears of Disney's famous flying elephant. But did you know that this octopus is also one of the most mysterious and fascinating creatures of the deep sea?

In this blog post, I will tell you everything you need to know about the dumbo octopus, including its appearance, behavior, habitat, and conservation status. I will also share with you some amazing footage of a rare dumbo octopus sighting that happened recently off the coast of Hawaii, thanks to a team of deep sea researchers.

What is a dumbo octopus?

A dumbo octopus is not a single species, but a genus of 17 different species of octopus that belong to the family Opisthoteuthidae, also known as umbrella octopuses. They are called dumbo octopuses because of their distinctive fins that look like ears, which they use to flap and steer themselves through the water.

Dumbo octopuses have a bell-shaped body that is pale in color and semi-translucent. They have eight short arms that are connected by a web of skin, giving them an umbrella-like appearance. They also have large eyes that help them see in the dark depths of the ocean.

Unlike most other octopuses, dumbo octopuses do not have an ink sac, as they do not encounter many predators in their habitat. They also do not have a hard beak or radula (a tongue-like organ with teeth) like other cephalopods. Instead, they have a small mouth with a few tooth-like structures that they use to suck up their prey.

Dumbo octopuses are carnivorous and feed on various invertebrates, such as snails, worms, crustaceans, and copepods. They usually hover above the seafloor and use their arms and webbing to catch their food.

Where do dumbo octopuses live?

Dumbo octopuses are found in oceans around the world, from tropical to temperate latitudes. They live in extremely deep waters, ranging from 1,000 to 13,000 feet (300 to 4,000 meters) below the surface. They are the deepest-living octopuses known to science.

Because of their depth range, dumbo octopuses can withstand very cold temperatures and high pressures. They also have a high concentration of copper in their blood, which makes it blue in color and more efficient at transporting oxygen.

Dumbo octopuses are very rare and elusive animals. They are seldom seen by humans and most of what we know about them comes from specimens caught by deep-sea trawlers or observed by remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

How do dumbo octopuses reproduce?

Dumbo octopuses have a very interesting reproductive strategy. Because they live in such isolated and sparse environments, they have to be ready to mate whenever they encounter another member of their species.

Female dumbo octopuses can store sperm from multiple males in their oviducts (tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus) for long periods of time. They can also produce eggs at different stages of development and keep them inside their mantle cavity (the space between the body and the head) until they find a suitable place to lay them.

When they are ready to lay their eggs, female dumbo octopuses go all the way to the bottom of the ocean and attach them to rocks or other hard surfaces. The eggs are protected by a transparent capsule that allows oxygen and nutrients to pass through.

The incubation period of dumbo octopus eggs can vary from a few months to several years, depending on the water temperature and depth. The hatchlings emerge fully developed and independent, without any parental care.

How do dumbo octopuses communicate?

Dumbo octopuses are not very social animals and usually live alone or in small groups. They do not have any vocalizations or sounds that they use to communicate with each other.

However, dumbo octopuses can change their color and texture to blend in with their surroundings or express their mood. For example, they can turn white when they are scared or red when they are angry.

They can also use their fins and arms to gesture or signal to other dumbo octopuses. For instance, they can wave their fins to attract a potential mate or curl their arms to show aggression or defense.

Are dumbo octopuses endangered?

Dumbo octopuses are not considered endangered or threatened by any conservation organization. However, they face some threats from human activities, such as overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Overfishing can reduce the availability of food and habitat for dumbo octopuses, as well as increase the risk of bycatch (accidental capture in fishing gear). Pollution can contaminate the water and affect the health and reproduction of dumbo octopuses. Habitat destruction can damage or destroy the seafloor where dumbo octopuses lay their eggs. Climate change can alter the temperature and acidity of the ocean, which can affect the survival and distribution of dumbo octopuses.

To protect and conserve dumbo octopuses, we need to raise awareness about their existence and importance, as well as support research and exploration of their deep-sea habitat. We also need to implement sustainable fishing practices, reduce pollution, and mitigate climate change.

How did deep sea researchers spot a rare dumbo octopus off the coast of Hawaii?

In October 2021, a team of deep sea researchers from the Ocean Exploration Trust made a remarkable discovery while exploring the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a vast protected area in the Pacific Ocean that covers more than 500,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers).

Using an ROV named Hercules, they spotted a rare dumbo octopus almost one mile (1.6 kilometers) below sea level, near a seamount called Necker Ridge. The dumbo octopus was about 2 feet (60 centimeters) long and had a pinkish-white color. It was swimming gracefully and flapping its fins like wings.

The researchers were amazed and delighted by the sighting, as it was the first time they had seen a dumbo octopus in this region. They captured some stunning video footage of the dumbo octopus, which they shared with the public on their website and social media platforms.

The video went viral and attracted millions of views and comments from people who were fascinated and charmed by the dumbo octopus. Many people praised the researchers for their work and thanked them for bringing this wonderful creature to light.

The researchers hope that their discovery will inspire more interest and curiosity about the dumbo octopus and its deep-sea habitat. They also hope that it will encourage more conservation efforts to protect this unique and precious ecosystem.

Conclusion

The dumbo octopus is a rare and adorable animal that lives in the deep sea. It has ear-like fins, a bell-shaped body, and large eyes. It feeds on invertebrates, reproduces by laying eggs on the seafloor, and communicates by changing color and gesturing. It is not endangered, but it faces some threats from human activities. Deep sea researchers spotted a rare dumbo octopus off the coast of Hawaii in October 2021, using an ROV. They captured some amazing video footage of the dumbo octopus, which they shared with the world.