Giant Sea Creatures. Written By Edith Kunhardt. Illustrated By Fiona Reid. 1984.

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Knuckle Puck

Color in the Clouds

Photo by Meg Mindlin

LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO

Meet the charming cephalopod that made headlines for cuteness—Opisthoteuthis spp.

The flapjack octopus Opisthoteuthis is a cirrate octopus. A small pair of fins on their mantle and webbed arms allow them to either drift or pulse like a jellyfish just above the seafloor. Scientists believe the finger-like cirri lining each arm are used to detect and capture prey such as small crustaceans, polychaetes, and molluscs living in the mud. 

Many cephalopods die shortly after they spawn, but Opisthoteuthis is able to continuously spawn throughout their lifetime. Their eggs require up to three years to develop and hatch. Given the length of time for egg development, it is thought this species may be relatively long-lived, but little is known about their natural history. 

In 2014, MBARI researchers collected flapjack octopuses in Monterey Bay for a collaborative exhibition at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Upon a closer look, they discovered that the individuals collected were actually an undescribed species. The scientists have started the process to formally describe and name this charismatic cephalopod, so stay tuned. Learn more about the fantastic flapjack on our website.

12.29.16

OH MY GOD. EVERYONE STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING I NEED TO SHOW YOU THIS MOTH

THEY’RE CALLED THE SOUTHERN FLANNEL MOTH AND THEYRE SO TINY JUST

IM GOING FERAL RN

its official. pelagic thresher sharks are the most absurd little miserable creechures i have ever seen

i love it