@mbari_news: Fresh from the deep—a rarely seen deep-sea giant that MBARI researchers recently observed in Monterey Bay. 🤩⁠ ⁠ During a research expedition with the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Ventana in Monterey Bay last month, Senior Scientist Steven Haddock and researchers from MBARI’s Biodiversity and Biooptics Team happened upon a rare sight approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) deep: a seven-arm octopus (Haliphron atlanticus). This sighting marked just our fourth observation of this species in nearly four decades of ocean exploration.⁠ ⁠ Using a 4K camera specially developed by MBARI engineers for deep-sea exploration, the team collected detailed observations of the animal’s appearance and behavior. This extraordinary octopus was clutching a crimson red helmet jelly (Periphylla periphylla). Previous research by Haddock and MBARI collaborator Henk-Jan Hoving first revealed that this large deep-sea octopus feeds on gelatinous animals. This new sighting underscores the complexity of deep-sea food webs and their surprising connections. #DeepSea #DeepOcean #MBARI

Abe_The_Arcane :

So actually... a Septopus?

Max K :

For anyone wondering, these guys go up to 3.5 m (11 ft) in length and can reach up to 75 kg (165 lb) in mass. Also they still have an 8th arm, it's just heavily modified and hidden internally, so it's still a true octopus despite being called "seven-armed".

BrandyCane🇨🇦SweetButTwisted :

Very cool! 🤩 What is the size of this octopus?

Beelzebubbee :

how big is it? you called it a giant but never said how big it is.

HumungaDunga :

But.....Octo means 8

Jessica :

it looks so smooth! I bet it feels like firm jello lol.

1Esmirelle1 :

Celeste7121 :

Why are their little tentacles so cute 😭😭

Krylsean M Dizon :

jelly is a short term of jellyfish🪼

winwin :

Do I know you😕

Little lee :

So amazing!❤️

GONZA 🪽곤자🪽 ®️ 🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷 :

Amazing 🤩

user3487204044856 :

So beautiful🤗

Garycat :

Cool

Black Rose :

beautiful

madsmadsmads :

not an octopus

pandasnpuns :

This is amazing. thank you for all you do MBARI!

BLEZED1 :

nice

Quantum Zone 5🧠 :

awwww😳

Beetle!!! ✂️ :

Awww he’s so cute

Kiki :

it would look so good with silver earrings

SG :

Lyyric Fei :

💙💙💙

CristyJane :

♥️♥️♥️

Lyyric Fei :

💚💚💚