Octopuses are fascinating creatures that have captured the hearts, and curiosity, of many. They have impressive abilities, including camouflage and ink-spraying, and they have three hearts. With so many different types of octopuses, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But let’s explore a few of the most interesting and adorable deep-sea octopuses!

Before we dive into the deep-sea world of octopuses, let’s address the grammar debate. Octopuses is actually the correct plural form of an octopus, not octopi. So, if you want to impress your friends with your knowledge of cephalopod grammar, remember to say “octopuses” from now on!

The dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) is named after the iconic Disney character due to its ear-like fins. These delightful creatures are the deepest-living octopuses, dwelling between 1,000 to 13,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface. Interestingly, they don’t possess an ink sack, as they don’t often encounter predators. Measuring only 8-12 inches in length, they are undeniably adorable.

The glass octopus (Vitreledonella richardi) is a rarely-seen cephalopod that lives around 3,000 feet below sea level. Its translucent body allows you to see straight through to its digestive tracts, eyes, and optic nerves. They are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters and are estimated to live for two to five years. These fascinating creatures are certainly a sight to behold!

The giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is one of the largest octopus species, weighing around 110 pounds and measuring up to 16 feet across. These massive creatures live around 6,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, making encounters with humans rare. In 2017, a sister species was discovered and dubbed the frilled giant Pacific octopus. These cephalopods have a distinctive “frill” that runs the length of their bodies and two distinctive white marks on their heads.