Dumbo Octopus - Oceana

Marine Life Encyclopedia

Cephalopods, Crustaceans, & Other Shellfish

Dumbo Octopus

Grimpoteuthis spp.

Distribution

Worldwide in tropical to temperate latitudes

eCOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Deep open ocean (bathypelagic)

FEEDING HABITS

Foraging predator

TAXONOMY

Class Cephalopoda (squids, octopuses, and relatives), Family Opisthoteuthidae (umbrella octopuses)

     

    The name dumbo octopus refers not just to one species but to an entire genus of deep-sea umbrella octopuses, noted for their fins that resemble Dumbo the elephant’s ears (of Disney fame). There are at least 15 species of dumbo octopuses, and like all umbrella octopuses, their arms are connected by a web of skin, causing them to resemble umbrellas when their arms are spread apart.

    Dumbo octopuses live in the deep open ocean down to depths of at least 13,100 feet (4000 m) and perhaps much deeper, making this group the deepest living of all known octopuses. Life at these extreme depths requires the ability to live in very cold water and in the complete absence of sunlight. Dumbo octopuses are naturally rare, and the deep sea is enormous, so these species have specialized behaviors to increase the likelihood that they can successfully reproduce anytime that they find a mate. Females apparently always carry eggs in different stages of development, and they are able to store sperm for long periods of time after mating with a male. Using these advantages, female dumbo octopuses can transfer sperm to their most developed eggs any time the environmental conditions are right for reproducing. Though they spend much of their lives suspended above the seafloor, dumbo octopuses lay their eggs on the bottom, attached to rocks or other hard surfaces.

    Dumbo octopuses move by slowly flapping their ear-like fins, and they use their arms to steer. They are foraging predators and eat pelagic invertebrates that swim above the sea floor. As there are few large predators in the deep sea, dumbo octopuses’ primary predators are diving fishes and marine mammals, including tunas, sharks, and dolphins. Due to their preference for extreme depths, they are only very rarely captured in fishing nets and are probably not threatened by human activities.

    Fun Facts About Dumbo Octopuses

    1. The Dumbo octopus is named after Disney’s Dumbo the elephant character, from the eponymous movie, that was famous for its big ears.

    2. Unlike most octopuses, the Dumbo octopus doesn’t have an ink sac because it rarely encounters predators in the deep sea.

    3. The Dumbo octopus uses its ear-like fins to propel through the water and steers using its webbed arms.1

    4. The Dumbo octopus is the deepest-living genus of all known octopuses. It lives at least 13,100 feet (4,000 m) below the surface.

    5. The largest Dumbo octopus ever recorded was 5 feet 10 inches (1.8 m) long and weighed 13 pounds (5.9 kg), but most species are an average size of 7.9 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) long.2

    References:

    1 The MarineBio Conservation Society

    2 Aquarium of the Pacific

     

    Get Involved

    Donate Today

    SUPPORT OUR WORK TO PROTECT THE OCEANS BY GIVING TODAY

    With the support of more than 1 million activists like you, we have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean.

    Donate Now

    TAKE ACTION NOW

    Support policy change for the oceans

    Decision-makers need to hear from ocean lovers like you. Make your voice heard!

    Sign Now

    VISIT OUR ADOPTION CENTER

    SYMBOLICALLY ADOPT AN ANIMAL TODAY

    Visit our online store to see all the ocean animals you can symbolically adopt, either for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

    Shop Today

    DOWNLOAD OCEAN ACTIVITIES

    HELP KIDS DISCOVER OUR BLUE PLANET

    Our free KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) empower children to learn about and protect our oceans!

    Learn More

    FEATURED CAMPAIGN

    Save the Oceans, Feed the World

    We are restoring the world’s wild fish populations to serve as a sustainable source of protein for people.

    Learn More

    More CAMPAIGNs

    Protect Habitat

    Bycatch

    Plastics

    View All

    Contact

    Oceana International Headquarters
    1025 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20036 USA

    General Inquiries
    +1(202)-833-3900
    info@oceana.org

    Donation Inquiries
    +1(202)-996-7174
    wavemaker@oceana.org

    Press Inquiries
    +1(202)-833-3900
    press@oceana.org

    Oceana's Efficiency

    Become a Wavemaker

    Sign up today to get weekly updates and action alerts from Oceana.

    SHOW YOUR SUPPORT WITH A DONATION

    We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.

    Donate Now

    QUICK LINKS: