A team of researchers in New Zealand has made a remarkable discovery – an octopus riding on the back of a shark. The unexpected encounter, nicknamed “sharktopus,” left experts stunned and sparked curiosity about the unlikely duo’s fate.
When marine ecologist Rochelle Constantine spotted a mako shark with an orangey-brown mass on its head in the Hauraki Gulf, she was concerned it might be entangled or injured. However, after closer inspection, her team discovered the “sharktopus” – an octopus with eight arms – clinging to the 10-foot-long shark.
The Maori octopus, one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, was surprisingly calm and happy during the encounter. Despite being on a predator’s back, it seemed content, suggesting that the shark may have been aware of its passenger but not bothered by it.
Researchers believe the unlikely duo met by chance, as maori octopuses live on the seafloor and shortfin makos are typically found in deeper waters. The encounter highlights the vast mysteries still to be uncovered about the ocean’s ecosystems.
Dr. Constantine’s observation serves as a reminder of how little we know about the natural world and emphasizes the importance of protecting our oceans.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/science/octopus-riding-shark-new-zealand.html