Scientists have been left amused after recognizing an octopus hitchhiking throughout its journey, albeit with an unlikely marine good friend. In a video posted on social media, researchers captured the orange-hued Maori octopus clinging to the again of a big shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), considered one of many quickest sharks on the earth.
The footage captured in December 2023 however launched this week exhibits the “sharktopus”, casually strolling round within the Hauraki Gulf off the northern coast of New Zealand’s North Island.
“At first, I used to be like: ‘Is it a buoy? Is it entangled in fishing gear or had an enormous chew?'” Rochelle Constantin, marine ecologist on the College of Auckland informed the New York Instances.
Afterwards, one of many technicians arrange a drone for a better look which managed to seize the beautiful footage. As per the researchers, what made the incident uncommon was the truth that octopuses are normally discovered on the seabed the place shortfin mako sharks hardly ever pay a go to.
“We moved on after 10 minutes, so I can not let you know what occurred subsequent. The octopus could have been in for fairly the expertise, although, because the world’s quickest shark species can attain 50 km per hour,” mentioned Ms Constantin.
“The ‘sharktopus’ encounter is a reminder of the wonders of the ocean. The most effective issues about being a marine scientist is that you simply by no means know what you may see subsequent within the sea. By supporting conservation initiatives, we will help to make sure that such extraordinary moments maintain occurring.”
Octopus noticed driving on prime of world’s quickest shark pic.twitter.com/631gtGK5eg
— Nature is Wonderful ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) March 21, 2025
Social media reacts
Because the video went viral, social media customers reacted in astonishment with many calling the octopus good for utilising the ocean assets for its commute.
“This octopus is a genius. Work good, not onerous,” mentioned one person whereas one other added: ‘Bro obtained himself an Uber.”
A 3rd commented: “You already know humanity is doomed when the alien octopi begin domesticating the sharks to journey into battle.”
Bro obtained himself an Uber 🤣 https://t.co/GbNHd1XH9V
— John Mark Bucsit (@JMBucss) March 22, 2025
The researchers mentioned it’s attainable that the octopus could have fallen with the shark rapidly devouring it however it’s equally possible that the eight-armed commuter could have slid to the seabed safely, owing to the shallow waters.
