Exploring the ocean floor at a whopping 2.6 miles down, zoologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have found what they believe to be a new species of octopus. Dubbed the “ghost octopus” for its pale white coloration, this eight-legged entity showed some interesting characteristics that set it apart from its relatives. It lacks the fins often seen on species of octopods that live at deep depths, as well as musculature of shallower swimming cephalopods. Scientists posit that living in these deep waters, food sources for the ghost octopus are limited, and since growing muscle takes energy, its gelatinous body is indicative of its diet.
Lack of pigmentation is common in animals living in the darkness of the deepest parts of the ocean, as camouflage is not needed in these murky regions. Filmed off the coast of Hawaii, the ghost octopus is thought to be the deepest-dwelling member of the octopus family.
Check out this short clip from the team that discovered the ghostly creature and hear the excitement as they realize this could be the first glimpse of a totally new species of octopus.
