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Marine biologists examining Hawaii's coral reefs have discovered two rusty orange critters floating on plastic debris.
The small creatures had eight tentacles – and on closer inspection they seemed to be miniature versions of octopus.
Scientists from the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park on the Big Island discovered octopus at the size of a pea in August.
"When monitoring coral reefs, our marine biologists noticed a small mistake in picking up several floating plastic marine debris. This beautiful little octopus was found among the debris, "the Hawaiian park posted on Facebook at the time.
The scientists picked up the small marine animals and placed them in a plastic container filled with water.
On their next dive, they sent the octopus back to the ocean "in a small protected area".
Sallie Beavers, marine ecologist of the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, told the Associated Press that one of them had thrown out a small amount of ink when he l & rsquo; Had rejected in the ocean.
They then confirmed that they found the second octopus above plastic debris attacking and killing a crab.
"Maybe they are not so cute?" Joked the national park on social media, sharing a photo of this unique show.
The images of spotted cephalopods became viral when the US Department of the Interior released a photo of one of them on Twitter this week.
"Who knew that an octopus could be so cute!" Wrote the government agency in the tweet, shared by hundreds of people.
Ms Beavers thinks that it was probably octopus octopus or night octopus, two species that are commonly found off Hawaii.
Octopuses by day or night can weigh up to 5.4 kg in adulthood, with an arm span of 90 cm.
They are veteran hunters who use their venom to attack crabs, small crustaceans and other fish because of their camouflage ability.
Their translucent skin can transform and blend into their environment, usually coral or rocks.
"The prey is held firmly by the suction cups, a toxin produced by the salivary glands is injected to paralyze it and additional secretions containing digestive enzymes liquefy the flesh," described in a blog post the Waikiki Aquarium.
"The octopus then uses its parrot-shaped beak to tear the softened meat into small bites."
This story was originally published on Fox News and has been republished here with permission.
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