What are they?
Dumbo-Octopuses which have the scientific name of Grimpoteuthis, is a genus of pelagic umbrella octopus. They are called Dumbo-Octopuses because of their ear-like fins on top of their somewhat head-like bodies, causes them to resemble Walt Disney's Dumbo, the flying elephant.
Habitat: Lives on the bottom or slightly above the seafloor at the depths of 3000 to 4000 m (9800 to 13000 ft). Some Dumbo-Octopuses live as deep as 7,000 m (23000 ft)!
Diet: small or microscopic aquatic crustacean, isopods (like sea slaters), bristle worms, and amphipods (another order of crustaceans). Small creatures that are found floating along in the currents.
Predator: sharks and killer whales, eels, seals and other big fish
Lifespan: 6 months to 4 years, depending on the species.
Mating / Maturity: Dumbo octopuses do not undergo a larval stage, unlike other octopuses. Once the male delivers the sperm ,the eggs fertilize inside the female Dumbo, where they will remain throughout several stages of development. they hatch when they are already quite large and independent
Size: Most are 20-30 cm (7.9-12 in). There was even one that was 1.8 m (5 close to 6 ft!)
Weight: average weight isn't yet determined, but the heaviest recorded weight was 13 lbs!
Really Cool Facts:
Videos!!:
Dumbo-Octopuses which have the scientific name of Grimpoteuthis, is a genus of pelagic umbrella octopus. They are called Dumbo-Octopuses because of their ear-like fins on top of their somewhat head-like bodies, causes them to resemble Walt Disney's Dumbo, the flying elephant.
Habitat: Lives on the bottom or slightly above the seafloor at the depths of 3000 to 4000 m (9800 to 13000 ft). Some Dumbo-Octopuses live as deep as 7,000 m (23000 ft)!
Diet: small or microscopic aquatic crustacean, isopods (like sea slaters), bristle worms, and amphipods (another order of crustaceans). Small creatures that are found floating along in the currents.
Predator: sharks and killer whales, eels, seals and other big fish
Lifespan: 6 months to 4 years, depending on the species.
Mating / Maturity: Dumbo octopuses do not undergo a larval stage, unlike other octopuses. Once the male delivers the sperm ,the eggs fertilize inside the female Dumbo, where they will remain throughout several stages of development. they hatch when they are already quite large and independent
Size: Most are 20-30 cm (7.9-12 in). There was even one that was 1.8 m (5 close to 6 ft!)
Weight: average weight isn't yet determined, but the heaviest recorded weight was 13 lbs!
Really Cool Facts:
- They can have a body color of red, green or , orange.
- They swallow their prey whole, which is why their food are never bigger than 1-2 mm!!
- The female dumbo-octopus leaves the eggs and little octopuses to fend for themselves after being laid.
- They swim by flapping their fins, by expanding and contracting its webbed arms, or by shooting water through its funnel. They can use these swimming techniques together or separately. (according to http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/62036.aspx)
- Unlike other octopuses, they don't have any teeth to rip apart their prey, which is why they swallow their food whole!!
Videos!!: