London, Taylor and Francis, 277-322, 2006.Ĭollins, Martin A. "Taxonomy, ecology and behaviour of the cirrate octopods." Roger Villaneuva, In: Gibson, R.N., Atkinson, R.J.A., Gordon, J.D.M., (eds.), Oceanography and marine biology: an annual review, Vol. Fun Fact: Grimpoteuthis is the deepest-living of any known octopus species.Ĭollins, Martin A.Conservation Status: Not Yet Classified.Habitat: Worldwide at depths of 3000 to 4000 meters.Size: The size depends on species, with an average size of 20 to 30 centimeters (about 8 to 12 inches).Distinguishing Characteristics: This species swims using its ear-like fins, while its tentacles are used to control the swimming direction and for crawling on the surface.Classification: Phylum Mollusca ( Mollusks), Class Cephalopoda (Squids and Octopuses), Order Octopoda (Octopus), Family Opisthoteuthidae (Umbrella Octopus).Scientific Name: Grimpoteuthis (Genus).In some species, the eye lacks a lens and has a degraded retina, likely only allowing for detection of light/dark and movement. Members of the Grimpoteuthis species have large eyes that fill about a third the diameter of their mantle or "head," but their eyes have limited use in the eternal darkness of the depths. The suckers contain cirri, which are strands used to locate food and sense the environment. The dumbo octopus has suckers on its tentacles but lacks the spines found in other species used to defend against attackers. Like other octopuses, Grimpoteuthis has eight tentacles. The "ears" may be a different color from the rest of the body.
Cuddly octopus plus#
The dumbo octopus comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors (red, white, brown, pink), plus it has the ability to "flush" or change color to camouflage itself against the ocean floor. The average weight of the creatures is unknown. The average size of a dumbo octopus is 20 to 30 centimeters (7.9 to 12 inches) in length, but one specimen was 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in length and weighed 5.9 kilograms (13 pounds). While the flapping fins are used for propulsion, the tentacles act as a rudder to control the swimming direction and are how the octopus crawls along the seafloor. All dumbo octopuses have the characteristic umbrella shape caused by webbing between their tentacles and all have ear-like fins they flap to propel themselves through the water. There are distinctions between the dumbo octopus species, but all are bathypelagic animals found on or near the deep ocean floor. The animals are members of the genus Grimpoteuthis, which in turn is a subset of the family Opisthoteuthidae, the umbrella octopuses. NOAA OKEANOS EXPLORER Program, Oceano Profundo 2015 Exploring Puerto Rico's Seamounts, Trenches, and Troughs/Flickr/CC BY 2.0