 |
| http://www.stanleysubmarines.com |
The Dumbo Octopus (aka Grimpoteuthis) was named after the flying elephant, due to the ear-like fins that stick out from the tops of their bodies. They live at extreme depths, from 9,800 to 13,000 feet below sea level - deeper than any known octopus species! Some even live up to 23,000 feet below sea level. They thrive in very cold water.
 |
| http://www.aquariumofpacific.org |
The Dumbo octopus ranges widely in physical characteristics. Some, like the one above, are squat and yellowish. Others are pink, white or bluish in hue, but all have eight webbed tentacles and big "ears".
 |
| Source unknown. |
They float above the sea floor using their umbrella-like mantle, looking for food such as snails and bristle worms, which they swallow whole - also different from any other octopus. They flap their fins to get moving, sometimes shooting water through their funnel for unexpected bursts of speed.
These octopi have no breeding season. Females can lay eggs whenever they wish. Scientists believe females can also take sperm from a male and hold onto it in their mantle for a long time, using it as needed.
 |
| Source unknown. |
0 comments:
Post a Comment