Rare Sighting of a ‘Sharktopus’ Leaves Researchers Stunned

Marine biologist Rochelle Constantine and her research team had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter during a research trip off the coast of New Zealand. What they witnessed left them absolutely stunned and puzzled.

While observing a shortfin mako shark swimming gracefully through the waters in December 2023, the team noticed something unusual. “It had a really large orangey-brown shape on its head,” Constantine shared in a recent blog post.

Curiosity piqued, the team decided to investigate further. They steered their boat closer to the shark, deployed a drone for aerial shots, and even used a GoPro to get a closer look underwater.

What they discovered was truly unexpected – a Maori octopus clinging to the shark’s head. “It was definitely working to keep itself very contained on top,” Constantine explained. “You could see a tentacle stray out every now and then.”

The team wasted no time in giving the peculiar pair a name. “It got named almost instantly on the water,” Constantine said. “The sharktopus.”

The Unlikely Pair

The Maori octopus, the largest octopus in the Southern Hemisphere, typically resides deep below the ocean surface and feeds on the seabed. On the other hand, the mako shark prefers to swim in the mid-water, rarely venturing close to the ocean floor.

“How they actually found each other is the greatest mystery,” Constantine mused. “They have very different worlds.”

University of Victoria marine biologist Verena Tunnicliffe, not part of the expedition, suggested that the octopus may have fallen prey to the shark and sought refuge on its back. “It’s a very bright animal – where’s the safest place? I guess it’s hoping it will be able to slip off without notice,” Tunnicliffe speculated.

Keeping it a Mystery

While the origins of the sharktopus remain a mystery, the encounter has captured the interest of people worldwide. Constantine welcomes the attention the unlikely duo has garnered.

For Constantine, the encounter serves as a poignant reminder of the vast mysteries that lie beneath the ocean’s surface. It encourages us to be better stewards of the marine ecosystem and appreciate the incredible diversity of life it supports.

“The lives of these animals are so much more complex than we realize,” Constantine reflected. “I really want people to just stop and reflect on how much we don’t know, how amazing the ocean is, and why it’s crucial for us to protect it.”