The Dumbo octopus thrives in the deepest, darkest reaches of our planet's oceans

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Named for its ear-like fins, the Dumbo octopus is the deepest-living octopus known to science. These gelatinous, alien-looking creatures drift through the pitch-black abyssal and hadal zones, surviving extreme pressures and freezing temperatures that would be fatal to almost any other marine life. They remain one of the ocean's great mysteries.

The genus Grimpoteuthis, commonly known as the Dumbo octopus, was first identified during the historic Challenger expedition between 1872 and 1876, though the genus was not formally described until 1932 by Guy Robson. These cephalopods are defined by their bell-shaped, semi-translucent bodies and prominent fins that facilitate movement. Unlike their shallower-dwelling relatives, they lack ink sacs and the ability to move via rapid jet propulsion, relying instead on a more passive, energy-efficient lifestyle. They are neutrally buoyant and navigate by flapping their fins while using their eight limbs for steering.

Living at depths of 1,000 to 7,000 metres, these octopuses inhabit the bathyal and abyssal zones, with a confirmed sighting in the Java Trench at nearly 7,000 metres suggesting they may even occupy the hadal zone. Because they exist in such extreme environments, specimens are rarely recovered in good condition, which complicates scientific classification. Currently, 17 valid species are recognized, but researchers suspect the true number may be higher. Their diet is limited to small organisms, such as copepods and bristle worms, which they likely capture using hair-like projections on their arms called cirri.

Reproduction in these deep-sea dwellers is highly specialized to cope with the vast, lonely seascape. Females appear to act as 'continuous spawners,' maintaining a conveyor belt of eggs at various stages of development. This allows them to mate whenever they encounter a partner, rather than adhering to specific breeding seasons. Males transfer sperm packets directly into the female's mantle cavity, where it can be stored long-term. Once fertilized, eggs are attached to hard surfaces like rocks or deep-sea coral. Hatchlings emerge as fully competent juveniles, immediately capable of surviving independently in the deep ocean.

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