Flapjack octopus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flapjack octopus |
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The flapjack octopus (scientific name: Opisthoteuthis californiana) is a super cute type of umbrella octopus. Some people even call it "adorabilis" because of how it looks!
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What Does a Flapjack Octopus Look Like?
Flapjack octopuses are usually a dark red color. They have special fins above their eyes, a bit like the fins you see on some squid. These octopuses can grow up to about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long.
They have eight arms that are connected by webbing, making them look a bit like an umbrella. Their bodies are soft and jelly-like. When they swim through the deep, dark ocean, they can spread their body out like a parachute!
Where Do Flapjack Octopuses Live?
You can find these amazing octopuses in different parts of the ocean. They have been seen off the coast of California and also near Japan. They live in deep waters, usually between 500 to 1,500 meters (about 1,600 to 4,900 feet) deep. Baby flapjack octopuses might be found a bit shallower, around 200 meters (650 feet) deep.
How Do Flapjack Octopuses Move?
Flapjack octopuses have a few ways to get around! They can move their fins, pulse their webbed arms, or even push water through a special tube called a funnel for a burst of speed. Sometimes, they do all three at once!
What Do Flapjack Octopuses Eat?
The flapjack octopus loves to munch on small fish, tiny sea creatures called plankton, and other small animals like crustaceans and worms.
They are clever hunters! They can pounce on their prey and use their beaks to catch them. They get their "flapjack" name because they can flatten their bodies, making them look less threatening to their prey. This helps them sneak up and catch their meal!
How Do Flapjack Octopuses Protect Themselves?
When a predator is nearby, flapjack octopuses are good at hiding. They can squeeze into small cracks or hide under rocks to stay safe.
How Do Flapjack Octopuses Have Babies?
Female flapjack octopuses lay a lot of eggs, usually between 200 and 500! Male octopuses perform special dances or actions to attract the females. Once the eggs hatch, the baby octopuses stay with their mom for a short time. After that, they are old enough to live on their own at the bottom of the ocean.
What Other Flapjack Octopuses Are There?
The Opisthoteuthis californiana is just one of 14 different species in the Opisthoteuthis group. All these species are sometimes called "flapjack devilfishes" because of their flattened shape. They are known for being very flat from front to back, which gives them their pancake-like look!
Most of these species live on the ocean floor, but they can also swim. Swimming helps them pounce on tiny prey. Many of these deep-sea octopuses are still a bit of a mystery to scientists!
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