By: Hilda Yeung

NOAA Ocean Exploration & Research from USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0&gt;, via Wikimedia Commons

The Exploration Vessel Nautilus (E/V Nautilus) is a research vessel exploring waters across the world. Scientists were able to gain new sightings and understandings of a rare species; the Dumbo Octopus. The Dumbo Octopus was named after the Disney character thanks to its large floppy ears which contribute to its mobility and allow it to propel through the waters effectively. Compared to all octopus species, the Dumbo Octopus lives in the deepest regions. On September 13th, the vessel was travelling through the deep waters of Northwestern Hawaiian Island.  The E/V Nautilus’s camera spotted what was later identified as the Dumbo octopus. The organism was spotted in a group of seven and 2,665 meters below sea level. This excited the scientists onboard with this new sighting, an opportunity to showcase their research abilities and to learn more about this rare species. 

Janet Voight, an associate curator of invertebrate zoology at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago stated, “It could be that they’re fairly common, it’s just an indicator of how little we know about what’s down there.” It is important to note how discoveries of rare species are vital for the knowledge of the unknown. This investigation will lead to further discoveries of life within waters, contributing to much more of what is known and evolution as a whole.

Works Cited

“#TheMoment a Rare Dumbo Octopus Was Spotted in the Deep Sea.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, Sept. 2023, http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2268101187950. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.

Marcus, Josh. “Scientists Spot Rare, Ghostly ‘dumbo’ Octopus in Deep Sea off Hawaiian Islands.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 27 Sept. 2023, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/video-dumbo-octopus-hawaii-rov-b2419821.html. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.

Maria, Cheryl Santa. “Rare Dumbo Octopus Caught on Camera.” The Weather Network, 29 Sept. 2023, http://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/nature/animals/rare-dumbo-octopus-caught-on-camera. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.

Scales, Helen. “Discovered in the Deep: Meet Casper the Ghostly Octopus.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 8 Aug. 2022, http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/08/discovered-in-the-deep-meet-casper-the-ghostly-octopus. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.

Sumner, Thomas. “Atlantic Monument Is Home to Unique and Varied Creatures.” Science News, 8 Aug. 2019, http://www.sciencenews.org/article/atlantic-monument-home-unique-and-varied-creatures. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.

“Watch – Deep, Dark Sea Reveals Ghost-like Dumbo Octopus | CBC Kids News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 19 Oct. 2023, http://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/watch-deep-dark-sea-reveals-ghost-like-dumbo-octopus. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.