Forget “sharknado” — this footage shows a new feat of nature.
Researchers from the University of Aukland got a chance sighting of an octopus hitching a ride on the back of a shark, which they have dubbed “sharktopus.”
The team was off the Northern coast of New Zealand in the Hauraki Gulf in 2023 when they spotted a shortfin mako shark with an orange blob attached to its back.
“The ‘sharktopus’ encounter is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean,” Constantine said. Youtube/University of Auckland
Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a Maori octopus when they spotted its tentacles moving.
“At first, I was like: ‘Is it a buoy?’” marine scientist Rochelle Constantine told the New York Times. “‘Is it entangled in fishing gear or had a big bite?’”
The phenomenon was particularly remarkable because of the nature of both creatures. Octopuses usually are on the ocean floor, where shortfin mako sharks typically do not go.
“It makes no sense that these two animals should be at the same place and time to encounter each other,” Constantine said, adding that both marine animals seemed “quite happy.”
“We have no idea how they found each other.”
While the researchers only stayed to watch the aquatic animals for 10 minutes, Constantine mused that the octopus was in for the ride of its life.
“The octopus may have been in for quite the experience, though, since the world’s fastest shark species can reach 50 kilometers per hour,” she told Oceanographic.
But, according to the outlet, octopuses can travel at a maximum of 40 kilometers, or 25 miles, per hour.
The sighting was caught on video in 2023. Youtube/University of Auckland
“The ‘sharktopus’ encounter is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean,” Constantine continued.
“One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea. By supporting conservation initiatives, we can help to ensure that such extraordinary moments keep happening.”
