Molluscs
Dumbo octopus
Grimpoteuthis sp.
Bathypelagic zone · Abyssopelagic zone · Hadal zone
The cephalopod observed at the greatest depths ever recorded: it owes its name to its two ear-shaped fins reminiscent of the Disney elephant.
🗺️ Geographic range
All major ocean zones, with the largest known concentrations in the Pacific and North Atlantic.
📊 Population
No population estimate available; the depths it inhabits make any IUCN assessment impossible for now.
Habitat
- Pacific Ocean · High seas / open water · Bathypelagic zone · Permanent
🥚 Reproduction
Lays already well-developed eggs, with no planktonic larval stage — rare among cephalopods.
Behaviour
- Diet
- Worms, crustaceans and molluscs, swallowed whole.
- Hunting
- Hovers just above the seafloor and engulfs prey without chewing.
- Communication
- Unknown.
- Social life
- Solitary.
Physiology
- Anatomy
- Two ear-shaped fins on either side of the mantle.
- Respiration
- A slow metabolism, adapted to cold and scarce food.
- Vision
- Adapted to the total darkness of the deep sea.
- Adaptations
- Has no ink sac — useless in the total darkness of the abyss.
⚡ Its extraordinary abilities
- The cephalopod observed at the greatest depths ever recorded, down to about 7,000 m
- Swims by flapping two ear-shaped fins, a technique unique among octopuses
🏆 Records
The cephalopod observed at the greatest depth
Down to about 7,000 m, a record for a living cephalopod.
Source: French National Museum of Natural History
If you cross paths with this animal…
Risk: None: inaccessible without a submersible.
Behaviour: Peaceful, hovers near the seafloor.
Advice: Its endearing looks make it one of the public's favourite deep-sea creatures.
💡 Did you know?
- Named after Dumbo, Disney's flying elephant, for its ear-shaped fins.
- Has no ink sac, entirely useless in the darkness of the abyss.
