The dumbo octopus, known for its grace and beauty, has captured the hearts of ocean enthusiasts. Recently, the Exploration Vessel Nautilus captured incredible footage of this adorable creature swimming in the deep sea. With its fins resembling ears, the dumbo octopus has earned its Disneyfied nickname. Nautilus used a remotely operated vehicle to record this mesmerizing sight.
The octopus was spotted at an unnamed seamount located 5,518 feet deep in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument near Hawaii. This area is considered the largest fully protected conservation area in the US, covering 582,578 square miles of the Pacific Ocean. It is even larger than all the national parks in the US combined.
The Nautilus, operated by the nonprofit Ocean Exploration Trust, is currently on its Ala ʻAumoana Kai Uli expedition, exploring previously unseen deep-sea areas within the national monument. The expedition involves seafloor mapping and remotely operated vehicle dives to gather data on the region’s geologic history, wildlife, and cultural resources. Funding for this work comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Exploration program.
One of the highlights of watching Nautilus videos is hearing the enthusiastic commentary from scientists as they view the footage in real time. When the dumbo octopus appeared, multiple voices exclaimed in excitement. The crew was especially delighted to see a healthy octopus after encountering a deceased one in the past.
The presence of this cartoon-like octopus in the dark depths of the ocean gives a friendly and enchanting face to a place often seen as scary. It truly is a world full of wonders.
