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An adorable cephalopod with a ghostly appearance has been spotted drifting through the deep waters off the coast of California.
Researchers exploring the Davidson Seamount in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary came across the so-called dumbo octopus using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
With its small wing-like ends flapping slowly through the dark and a 'web' that fans out like an umbrella, the elusive sea creature looks just like a cartoon appearance.
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An adorable cephalopod with a ghostly appearance has been spotted drifting through the deep waters off the coast of California
The E / V Nautilus team stumbled upon the white octopus dumbo on Oct 23. These cephalopods are also commonly known as umbrellas octopus.
It was spotted during the first of a series of dives at the Davidson Seamount.
During this dive, the team used the ROV to look at an unexplored 'oasis' region that is southeast of the feature, where there are fields of coral and sponge.
Hercules flapping their wings on a pair of flute-like fins, then it inverted its web, spreading it like an umbrella to reveal the eight arms each with a single series of suckers and two series of finger -like muscular structures called cirri, 'the team said.
With its small wing-like ends flapping slowly through the dark and a 'web' that fans out like an umbrella, the elusive sea creature looks just like a cartoon appearance. The E / V Nautilus team stumbled upon the white dumbo octopus on Oct 23
The team estimates the octopus was about 60 centimeters long (2 feet).
The area near the Davidson Seamount stretches from 3,100 to 3,600 meters deep, and is home to basaltic rocky reef.
Researchers are hoping to survey the area and the presence of deep-sea life, along with collecting water and sediment samples, and environmental data.
Researchers exploring the Davidson Seamount in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary came across the so-called dumbo octopus using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)
HOW DO OCTOPUSES DEFEND THEMSELVES?
One of the most effective ways octopuses avoid predation by camouflaging with their environment.
They have special pigment cells that allow them to control the color of their skin, much like chameleons.
They can change the texture of their skin in the field.
Camouflage they can escape predators by using a 'jet propulsion' method of escape, where they quickly shoot out water to propel them through the water quickly.
The jet of water from the siphon is usually accompanied by a release of ink to confuse and evade potential enemies.
The suckers on the tentacles of the eight-legged beasts are extremely powerful and are used to making a sharp beak.
It has been recently discovered that it can be prevented by a volcanic eruption or earthquake, giving them enough time to escape.
Davidson Seamount, an inactive undersea volcanic mountain, sits 129 kilometers southwest of Monterey and has been known to 'Oasis in the Deep' due to the abundance of coral forests and sponge fields.
Elsewhere in its surroundings, the seafloor is flat.
But at the Davidson Seamount, the coral and sponge fields flourish with crabs, fish, shrimp, basketball stars, and as yet unidentified species.
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