Deep beneath the ocean waves off Western Australia, scientists have discovered an extraordinary new resident that’s rewriting our understanding of deep-sea life. The Carnarvon flapjack octopus, measuring just 4 centimeters across with massive eyes and striking blood-red tentacles, represents the tenth new species described from a groundbreaking 2022 research voyage. This tiny shape-shifter has an almost magical ability to flatten its body into a pancake-like disc or puff itself up to resemble a gelatinous umbrella, earning its place in the fascinating family of “dumbo” octopuses.
Found living 1,000 to 1,500 meters below the surface in the Carnarvon Canyon Marine Park, this remarkable creature uses its oversized eyes to hunt for worms and small crustaceans in the dim depths where sunlight never reaches. Unlike other octopuses, dumbo octopuses like this one produce no ink and cannot change color, relying instead on their shape-shifting abilities and jellyfish-like movements to navigate their deep-sea world. The discovery adds incredible value to Australia’s recently established marine parks and highlights just how much we still don’t know about our ocean’s hidden inhabitants. Scientists estimate that over 1,000 new species are still waiting to be described from this single research expedition alone, proving that our planet’s most mysterious frontiers are still full of surprises.