The Dumbo Octopus (genus Grimotheuthis) — named after the famed Disney elephant — has ear-like fins that are used for propulsion through the water. They also use water-jet propulsion and swim with a rhythmic thrust of their arms, like other octopods, but flapping their ear-fins seems to be a favoured form of propulsion.

Not a lot is known about this rarest of the Octopoda species. They have been found as shallow as 400 meters below the surface, but are most commonly found at depths of 3,000 to 4,000 meters. One species was discovered at a depth of seven thousand meters, deeper than any other known octopus. They hover above the ocean floor and feed on worms, molluscs and crustaceans; but, unlike other octopods, they swallow prey whole because they have no radula (a tongue with teeth on it).

The male has an adapted section on one arm that is probably used to convey spermatosphores into the female.

I wonder how many unknown, strange creatures lurk in the dark depths…

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