The Nautilus Exploration Program of Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) explores the ocean using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) launched from their research vessel, E/V Nautilus.
In early September 2019 the ROV was a mile below the surface near uninhabited Southwest Baker Island in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument when they came upon an octopus, one of three species in the Cirroteuthidae family.
About 4.2 feet long, the octopus expanded and contracted its tentacles, flapped its Dumbo-like “ears” and transformed itself into a circus tent, perhaps in an effort to look big to the deep sea machine.
Like the crew we are all amazed by this wonder of the deep.
Read more about this encounter at the YouTube video. See more Nautilus explorations at www.nautiluslive.org.
(video from EvNautilus on YouTube)
Oh Kate, I love today’s post. I couldn’t be more infatuated with anything octopus related right now. There’s some great content you can watch on the tube/screens/online. After watching this Nature show, I was hooked! https://www.kpbs.org/news/2019/sep/30/nature-octopus-making-contact/ Truly a fascinating species. Thank you for shining a light on them today! Happy Friday!
Kate, here’s the link to the Nature show. You may choose to just not include that, no worries! 🙂
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/octopus-making-contact-preview-a98u9n/19851/
AMAZING!!! I wonder, do any other octopus (plural please) have Dumbo ears?
Gee whiz. It has to do w Greek or Latin roots. Octopus is Greek, therefore “i” is incorrect.
Nan, I try not to speak of more than one octopus at a time. 😉
My friend just told me about a documentary she saw on Netflix, “My Octopus Teacher.” She raved about it. I haven’t seen it, but I thought I’d pass on her recommendation.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/my_octopus_teacher