Super Rare Dumbo Octopus Captured on Camera on a Deep Ocean Dive

With ear-like fins that flap gracefully through the water, the Dumbo octopus in this YouTube video looks like it waltzed straight out of an animation studio. But don’t let their cute facade fool you; these adorable little creatures are incredibly resilient and survive in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.

The Deep Sea’s Most Charming Resident

The Dumbo octopus‘ name is not simply a happy accident. Much like Disney’s famous animated elephant, these deep-sea dwellers have rounded bodies and two pronounced fins right above each eye, which look a lot like floppy, ear-like appendages.

These charming cephalopods belong to the Grimpoteuthis genus of deep-sea umbrella octopuses. So far, scientists have identified at least 15 different species. They all have eight webbed tentacles and display a surprising array of shapes and colors. Most Dumbo octopuses are a modest 8 to 12 inches long. However, one record-breaker grew to an astonishing 5 feet, 10 inches, and weighed 13 pounds.

As seen in this YouTube video, Dumbo octopuses appear to move effortlessly through the sea. This is thanks to their neutrally buoyant bodies, which allow them to float with mesmerizing grace. Their primary mode of movement involves methodically flapping their iconic “Dumbo ears” while they steer with their tentacles. The webbing between their tentacles helps with quicker escapes, and they can shoot water through a specialized funnel.

Thriving in the Ocean’s Extremes

Dumbo octopuses are found across the globe, everywhere from the waters off Australia and New Zealand to the Western United States and the Philippines. They are rarely seen, however, as they live in the deep open ocean at least 13,100 feet below the surface. There is no sunlight, no warmth, and the pressure could crush many other ocean animals. However, these deep-sea cephalopods are uniquely adapted to life in incredibly deep waters. In fact, in 2020, one intrepid Dumbo octopus was filmed at an astonishing 22,825 feet below the surface!

In shallower areas, Dumbo octopuses occasionally become tasty snacks for dolphins, sharks, or diving fish like tuna. But in areas where few other animals could hope to survive, these cute sea creatures do not need to worry about many predators. They are rarely caught in fishing nets or even seen by humans. In fact, they do not have ink sacs to create a quick escape cloud like other octopuses, and they are not particularly speedy swimmers.

Along the deep ocean floor, Dumbo octopuses are like cute Disney vacuum cleaners, foraging for pelagic invertebrates. They snack on isopods, amphipods, copepods, and bristle worms, all of which they happily swallow whole.

Finding Love in the Abyss

As you can imagine, being a rare creature in such a vast environment makes finding a mate rather difficult. Fortunately, these clever cephalopods have their own unique strategy. Female Dumbo octopuses carry eggs at different stages of development, ensuring they are ready for whenever a male happens to swim by. They can even store sperm for extended periods, giving them flexibility to use it whenever they are ready. When the time comes, they lay their eggs on the ocean floor, attaching them to or tucking them under hard surfaces such as rocks or shells.

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