Page 39 - World of Animals - Issue #31

Bizarre!

The deep-sea flapjack octopus FLAPJACK OCTOPUS
Opisthoteuthis californiana
Class Cephalopoda
is an adorable mystery

Territory Pacific Ocean

Deep in the abyss, the flapjack octopus floats through its surroundings. It is Diet Small fish, plankton

Lifespan Unknown

one of the flattest – and cutest – group of octopuses in the animal kingdom Adult weight Unknown
Conservation status

The name ‘flapjack’ It is considered the DATA DEFICIENT
does make sense, really! cutest octopus
In the UK, a flapjack is an oaty, syrupy square – which In June last year, it was reported that scientist Stephanie

makes little sense when you think about the flat shape Bush of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

of the flapjack octopus’ tentacles – but in parts of the was considering naming a newly discovered species of

US, a flapjack is actually another name for a pancake. flapjack octopus ‘Opisthotheusis adorabilis’ because of

Why it was not named a pancake octopus to save how adorable its ‘puppy dog eyes’ make it look. This does

confusion, we don’t know! not appear to have been made official, unfortunately.

They look like Pixar got it wrong They are among
parachutes when with Pearl the most intelligent
they move Arguably the most well-known media invertebrates

representation of a flapjack octopus is Finding

Although they spend most of their time at the Nemo’s Pearl. But scientist Adam Summers, an Octopuses, along with squid and cuttlefish, are
bottom of the ocean, flapjack octopuses are associate professor of Aquatic and Fisheries cephalopods. These molluscs are renowned

accomplished swimmers. Using their ring of Sciences at the University of Washington, for their intelligence; large brains and highly
webbed tentacles to move through the water, claims that in such shallow waters, she would developed eyes allow them to learn techniques
they look like small, underwater parachutes. be akin to “pink mush”. Most species of by trial and error, or by observation. However,

Small fins on the top of their heads are used flapjack octopus are found at depths between more research is needed to determine how the © Ardea
to change direction while on the move. 320 and 620 metres (1,050 and 2,034 feet). flapjack octopus compares with its relatives.

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