Dumbo Octopus: July 2016

 

This dumbo octopus was filmed at a depth of 900 meters (2,950 feet) using remotely operated vehicle Global Explorer during the Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands expedition.

There are six families of finned deep-sea octopods which all belong to the Cirrata suborder. Cirrate octopods differ from other octopods in that they have all but abandoned swimming via jet propulsion and instead they rely on fins as their primary means of locomotion. These ear-like fins that protrude just above the eyes have earned this group the nickname "dumbo octopods," in honor of the ears of the famous Disney elephant, Dumbo.

 

Download SD version (mp4, 13.2 MB).

Download HD version (mp4, 26.0 MB).

Video courtesy of The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands, Oceaneering-DSSI.

 


 

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