Almost half a mile deep in Monterey Bay, California, scientists recently captured rare footage of a seven-arm octopus. This is only the fourth time in nearly 40 years that this species has been spotted by the same research team.
In the latest video released by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the giant octopus is seen munching on a smaller red helmet jellyfish. This bioluminescent jellyfish prefers the dark depths of the ocean, avoiding sunlight.
The last time researchers saw this extraordinary octopus, it was also holding a jellyfish. That earlier observation helped scientists learn more about its preference for gelatinous creatures.
Steven Haddock, a senior scientist at MBARI, expressed excitement about this new sighting. “To confirm our previous observation was informative,” he said. “This octopus was holding a different, deeper-living jellyfish than we’d seen before.”
This particular species, known scientifically as Haliphron atlanticus, actually has eight arms. Males tend to cover their eighth arm, which they use for mating, making them appear to have only seven. Female seven-arm octopuses can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 165 pounds, often living in the ocean’s twilight zone, between 650 and 3,000 feet below the surface.
What’s fascinating is that these massive creatures thrive mainly on a diet of jellyfish. Haddock remarked, “It’s intriguing that such a large species sustains itself on gelatinous food.”
Recent studies emphasize how vital jellyfish are as food sources in ocean ecosystems, and their populations have been rising in certain regions, possibly due to climate changes and overfishing of their predators. This shift can alter marine life dynamics and affect species like the seven-arm octopus.
As scientific exploration continues, each sighting adds to our understanding of these mysterious creatures and their habitats. For more insights on the behavior of marine species, check out research from NOAA on marine ecosystems.
