Dumbo octopuses - weird and Creepy

Hey Guys Ocean is full mysteries and different kind of animals one of a very weird and Creepy animal is Dumbo octopuses.so lets know about it…

Classification

Kingdom:        Animalia                                              Phylum:         Mollusca

Class:            Cephalopoda                                        Order:           Octopoda

Family:           Opisthoteuthidae                               Genus:           Grimpoteuthis

Dumbo octopuses live in the deep open ocean down to depths  of at least 13,100 feet(4000 m) and perhaps much deeper, making this group the deepest living of all known octopuses. Grimpoteuthis is a genus of pelagic umbrella octopuses known as the dumbo octopuses.

The name "dumbo" originates from their resemblance to the title character of Disney's 1941 film Dumbo, having a prominent ear-like fin which extends from the mantle above each eye. There are 13 species recognized in the genus. Prey include crustaceans, bivalves, worms and copepods.^[ The average life span of various Grimpoteuthis species is 3 to 5 years.Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) aspects of a mature female of G. innominata (73 mm ML).All species of Grimpoteuthis live at depths of 3,000 to 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,100 ft) with some living up to 7,000 metres (23,000 ft) below sea level, which is the deepest of any known octopus. 

They are some of the rarest of the Octopoda species though they occur worldwide including in the waters of New Zealand, Australia, Monterey Bay, Oregon, Philippines, Martha's Vineyard, Papua New Guinea and Azores. The largest Dumbo octopus ever recorded was 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) in length and weighed 5.9 kilograms (13 lb). The average size for most species is 20–30 centimetres (7.9–12 in) in length.

The average weight is still undetermined. Species of Grimpoteuthis are assumed to have a worldwide distribution, living in the cold, abyssal depths ranging from 400 to 4,800 metres (13,000 ft). Specimens have been found off the coast of Oregon, The Philippines, Martha's Vineyard, Azores, New Zealand, Australia, California, Papua, and New Guinea. Dumbo octopuses are among the deepest living octopuses known. Females have no distinct period for breeding. Females carry multiple eggs in various stages of maturation, suggesting that they have no optimal breeding period. Male octopuses have a separate protuberance on one of their arms that carries an encapsulated sperm packet to the female.

It is hypothesized that the female can then distribute this sperm to the eggs at any given time based on environmental conditions. The females lay the eggs under small rocks or on shells in the deep ocean or can even carry them on her arms, by tucking the eggs behind the wide webbing, until she finds a safe place that would provide them with the best fitness. As with other octopuses, females do not invest any further time in the young after they hatch because once they are born they are able to defend themselves. Species of Grimpoteuthis face few direct threats from humans, living at depths below 3,000 meters (9,800 ft). Natural predators include sharks, killer whales, tuna and predatory cephalopods.

The genus has a distinct habit of swimming. They flap their ear-like fins to propel themselves. Movement of the arms can be used to help the animal move in any direction. The arms permit the animal to crawl along the seafloor, to capture prey, lay eggs, explore, etc. Dumbos hover above the sea floor, searching for polychaete worms, pelagic copepods, isopods, amphipods, and other crustaceans for food. Prey is captured by pouncing on the target, which then is swallowed whole.