A ‘Big Eared’ Deep Sea Octopus Inflates Its Body Like a Circus Tent to Warn the ROV Hercules to Back Off
While exploring off Southwest Baker Island in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, the ROV Hercules, launched from the E/V Nautilus (previously) captured the very rare sight of a "big eared" (mantle fins) Cirroteuthidae Octopus. This incredibly large cephalopod repeatedly inflated its body like a circus tent in order to make itself larger in order to warn the invading vehicle to back off.
Related Laughing Squid PostsAn Adorably Spooky 'Big Eared' Dumbo Octopus Puts on a Fearsome Show for the ROV Hercules CameraA Cartoonish Purple Squid With Big Googly EyesROV Hercules Captures First Live Sighting of an Asperoteuthis Mangoldae Squid in the Remote PacificDancing at a depth of around 1,600 meters (5,250 feet), this elegant octopus measures an estimated 20 centimeters (8 inches) across and entertained our watch team for more than five minutes. "It's really putting on a show for us," said a researcher as the cephalopod made its way toward Hercules' camera, expanding its billowing arms like a circus tent blowing in the wind.
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