'Dumbo' Octopus Spotted by EV Nautilus Research Vessel in North Pacific Ocean [VIDEO]

A Dumbo octopus was spotted by the research vessel EV Nautilus in the deepwater part of the North Pacific Ocean, the sighting occurred at a depth of several thousand meters and the rare octopus was caught on footage.

The scientists aboard the research vessel used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), which allowed them to witness the octopus that looks like Dumbo the elephant from Disney's "Dumbo" movie franchise.

Dumbo Octopus Sighting

Footage of the Dumbo octopus was uploaded on YouTube by the official channel of EV Nautilus on September 22, with the caption "ghostly Dumbo octopus in the deep sea." In the video, the research team shows that their dive site occurred at "unnamed seamount 17" at a maximum depth of 2,665 meters.

The start of the recording, captured by EV Nautilus' ROV Atlana's camera, shows the elephant-like octopus was hovering above ROV Hercules when it reached the ocean floor of about 1,682 meters (5,518 feet) in an unnamed seamount. The site is located Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the North Pacific Ocean.

Also Read: Deep-Sea Creatures that Dwell North of Mariana Trench

Why is the Dumbo Octopus So Rare?

The Dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) is a cephalopod with related members under the molluscan class Cephalopoda, including cuttlefish, squid, and other octopus species.

According to the organization Oceana, the name "dumbo octopus" pertains to not just one species but a whole genus of umbrella octopuses living in the deep open ocean, particularly at depths of at least 4,000 meters (13,100 feet). The genus' name is derived from the Dumbo character since their fins resemble the said elephant's ears.

The exact population of Grimpoteuthis remains unknown, for reasons evidently due to their deepwater habitats. This is because the deepest parts of the world's oceans remain largely unexplored until now. However, the organization Aquarium of the Pacific says there are 17 Dumbo octopus species.

Although first discovered in 1883, the first specimen of dumbo octopuses was not seen until the 1990s following the invention of deep-sea submersible vessels.

EV Nautilus

The ROV was operated by the Ocean Exploration Trust, a non-profit organization. For years, the Nautilus has focused on navigating unknown regions of the ocean with the objective of finding new discoveries in the fields of biology, geology, and archaeology.

EV Nautilus, officially known as Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus, is a 211-foot ship that is equipped with the latest technology and equipment, allowing scientists on board the craft to gather data, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In 2014, the Nautilus also posted a live video online that shows a different yet related Dumbo octopus. Due to the rarity of the species, these spooky marine creatures are never found in captivity, including in an aquarium or a pet store.

Aside from their ghostly appearance, many have considered them to be the 'cutest octopus in the world' and they are also not known to be dangerous to humans.

Related Article: 5 Octopus Facts that Every Cephalopod Enthusiast Must Know