Search results
Dumbo Octopus Facts. Often called the cutest octopus in the world, the Dumbo octopus has fins on its mantle that look like the huge ears of Dumbo the Elephant. David Shale, NPL, Minden...
- 4 min
- Description
- Range and Distribution
- Diet
- Behavior
- Predators
- Adaptations
- Mating and Reproduction
- Conservation Status
- Interesting Facts
Length: 7-12 in (17-31 cm) Weight: 2.2 lb (1 kg) Body and Coloration: Their bodies are soft and gelatinous, held together with a shell made of cartilage shaped like a ‘U’ or ‘V’. Similar to other octopi, they have eight appendages. As part of the family of umbrella octopi, these eight limbs are joined together with webbing to form a membrane. Their...
Though one can assume they are found in oceans worldwide, they have only been seen in Australia, California and Oregon in the United States, New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
They feed on crustaceans, snails, and worms found close to the ocean floor. Some small fish are sometimes scooped up by them while foraging for food.
They are active hunters, constantly searching for their next meal on the ocean floor. When they encounter potential prey, they will grab and consume it whole.Due to these creatures being found deep underwater, very little of their behavior has been observed or recorded.As few predators live where these octopi are found, they are rarely preyed on. Some of their natural predators include certain sharks and dolphins that sometimes dive to the depths searching for food.
The most significant parts of a dumbo octopus are the two “ear-like” fins on the side of its head. It uses them to propel its body forward while using its arms to steer in its preferred direction.Their arms have suckers on their ends, helping them navigate their surroundings using touch and sensing water currents.To deal with the high pressures generated by the ocean’s depths, the bodies of the dumbo octopus are gelatinous and soft. Conversely, if brought to the surface, their bodies cannot function properly.Also, they are well adapted to cold temperatures since sunlight does not reach the depths these octopi inhabit.Little remains known about the reproductive habits of the dumbo octopus. Scientists have determined that the male passes a “sperm packet” to the female, which she uses at an opportune moment to fertilize the eggs inside her. She lays the eggs on the ground near rocks or similar hard surfaces, ensuring they stay in one place for safety reasons.
Due to the lack of information about the dumbo octopus, the exact population remains unknown. However, it is assumed to be “Least Concern” or “LC” as human activities, like fishing with nets, rarely hurt these cephalopods.
Unlike every other species of octopus, dumbo octopi cannot shoot ink or change color. One can assume the reason for this is the lack of predators where they live, leading to them slowly losing thes...Despite having large eyes, their vision is very poor. However, as their environments are pitch black, this doesn’t affect them.The largest-ever dumbo octopus recorded was 5 ft 10 in and weighed 13 lbs.- They live at extreme depths. Dumbo octopuses are the deepest-living octopuses known to man. They can be found at up to 13,000 feet below the ocean surface.
- Unlike others, they cannot move by jet-propulsion. Many squid and octopus species can engage in jet propulsion—the process of expelling water at high velocities to mediate movement.
- Their blood is blue! The iron in human blood is what makes our blood appear red when exposed to open air. Dumbo octopus blood is blue in colour because of its high copper content.
- They have three hearts. Octopuses have three hearts that all help circulate blood through the body and back to get reoxygenated again. One of the hearts is responsible for pumping blood to the body while two propel blood past the octopus’s gills.
Aug 28, 2020 · Reviewed by: BD Editors. Last Updated: August 28, 2020. The Dumbo Octopus is the common name for a genus of octopuses that live in the deepest parts of the ocean. The average depth of most dumbo octopus species is 13,100 feet (~4,000 m), though some have been found as deep 23,000 feet (~7,000 m)!
- Gabe Buckley
People also ask
What is a Dumbo octopus?
Where do dumbo octopus live?
How deep is a Dumbo octopus?
What does a Dumbo octopus look like?
The Dumbo octopus is an elusive cephalopod that gets its name from its large ear-like fins, which resemble those of the lovable Disney elephant. But there's still lots we don't know about these mysterious creatures. What do Dumbo octopuses look like?
Mar 4, 2024 · The Dumbo octopus (genus Grimpoteuthis), named after the Disney elephant that could fly by flapping its ears as wings, lives in the harsh environment of the deep ocean floor (3000 to 4000m or 9800 to 13000 feet) in oceans all around the world.
May 28, 2020 · That was a black and white photo of an animal taken 50 years ago off Barbados. ATLANTIC PRODUCTIONS FOR DISCOVERY CHANNEL. A Dumbo octopus was seen on two separate dives. The significance of...
