The dumbo octopus, also known as Grimpoteuthis, is a genus of pelagic umbrella octopuses. The name originates from the creature’s resemblance to the character Dumbo from the 1941 Disney film of the same name. There are thirteen species in the genus; unfortunately, due to the difficulty in studying specimens and some confusion surrounding the distinction between them, there are few available for study today. Taxonomical confusion still makes it difficult to distinguish between some species.
The Dumbo octopus was first discovered around 1883, but the first specimen was not seen until the 1990s after the first deep-sea submersible vessels were invented. Far more is known about these creatures than when they were first discovered, but there is still more to explore. Continue reading to learn more about this elusive deep-sea creature.
Appearance
The dumbo octopus is small compared to other octopods, averaging between 20-30 cm. The octopus can camouflage itself, which comes in handy when trying to hide from its natural predators, like sharks. These octopuses also come in different shapes. Female octopuses have more gelatinous bodies than males and are wider than long. Their arms are also more prevalent and they have U-shaped shells and larger eyes.
The octopus’s gelatinous body allows it to exist at the highly pressured depths it prefers. Extreme pressure keeps its body together, and if brought to the surface, its body would not be able to work correctly.
It has two large fins that protrude from the size of its mantle, giving it the appearance of having very large ears (encouraging its common name, “Dumbo”). They propel themselves through the water by flapping their fins and expelling water from their siphons, a process known as jet propulsion.
They can control their movements by moving the webbing between their arms. These arms also allow the octopus to crawl along the seafloor. They can use them to capture prey and explore their environments.
Did you know…
Dumbo octopuses do not have ink sac and are unable to produce ink, as other octopuses do, something that makes sense considering their usual deep and dark habitats. They exhibit a remarkable adaptation in the form of white, light-sensitive patches located above their eyes.
Habitat
They are distributed around the world in the deep open ocean. They live between 1,000 and 7,000 meters (up to 13,000 feet) below the surface of the ocean, something that has also led to increased difficulty in their study. Scientists do know that they live along the coast of Oregon, Papua, New Guinea, and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as other places like the Philippines and Australia.
These octopuses live at extreme depths and are considered today to be the deepest-living octopuses known to scientists. In 2020, a dumbo octopus was spotted in the Java trench, around 13,000 feet below the surface.
Diet
Most of the time, the dumbo octopus hovers over the seafloor, seeking out prey like isopods, amphipods, snails, crustaceans, pelagic copepods, and more. This prey is easily captured when the octopuses pounce on it and swallow it whole.
One of the only major threats that the octopus faces is the scarcity of prey on the ocean floor. They have to forage for food which can be a rarity.
Reproduction
Dumbo octopuses are not as common as some other species, it’s not always a simple thing for a male and female to find one another and breed. They have no single period for breeding as other animals do.
Female dumbo octopuses carry eggs throughout their maturity. The eggs are at different stages of development. After they mate, the female can choose to store the male’s sperm until she believes it’s the best time to reproduce.
This is based on environmental conditions and the relative safety of an area. Usually, these octopuses find a hard surfaces, such as a rock on the sea floor, to wait for the young to hatch. The juveniles are believed to be able to survive on their own from birth. The octopuses live between three to five years.
Threats
Fortunately, there are few threats this octopus faces due to its preferred habitat deep beneath the ocean’s surface. The octopus can change colors, from pink, to red, to brown, to camouflage itself from predators like sharks, dolphins, tunas, and larger octopuses.
Luckily, Dumbo octopuses do not face threats from human activities due to their distance from the surface. Currently, their conservation is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List.
More Interesting Facts About the Dumbo Octopus
- Dumbo octopuses have been known to play with objects, such as rocks and toys.
- They can produce light through a process called bioluminescence
- They use their ear-like fins to propel themselves through the water.
- It is the deepest living of all octopuses.
- The largest ever discovered was 6 feet long and weighed around 13 pounds (6 kg).
- They cannot survive outside of the highly pressurized waters of the deep sea.
- When Dumbo octopuses are born, they immediately have to survive on their own.
FAQs
Are Dumbo Octopus poisonous?
Dumbo octopuses do not possess venom glands or produce toxins. Their diet consists primarily of small crustaceans and worms, which they capture using their arms and suckers. As such, they pose no venomous or poisonous threat to humans or other larger marine animals.
Does the Dumbo Octopus sleep?
Scientists have observed periods of inactivity and reduced responsiveness in these creatures. During these periods, octopuses exhibit slower breathing, decreased muscle tone, and a lack of reaction to external stimuli. These characteristics are consistent with what we understand as sleep or rest in other animals, suggesting that Dumbo octopuses likely engage in similar behavior to regain their energy and maintain cognitive function
How many brains does a Dumbo Octopus have?
The Dumbo Octopus has a central brain located between the eyes that coordinate overall body functions and sensory input. Also, each of the eight arms possesses a cluster of nerve cells, acting as a “mini-brain.” This distributed nervous system grants octopuses exceptional intelligence, independent arms control, and the ability to perform complex tasks and solve problems.
Do Dumbo Octopuses lay eggs?
Dumbo octopuses are oviparous, females carry a small number of eggs internally for extended periods, sometimes even years until they find a suitable and safe location to deposit them. This strategy is thought to increase the chances of offspring survival in the challenging deep-sea environment.
How was the Dumbo Octopus discovered?
The first scientific documentation of a Dumbo octopus is credited to the German research vessel Valdivia. During its expedition in 1898, the ship’s crew collected specimens from the Indian Ocean, which were later examined and described by zoologist Carl Chun. This discovery marked the beginning of our understanding of these fascinating deep-sea creatures.
