The flapjack octopus, a creature resembling a small, round pancake with ear-like fins, inhabits the vast, dark expanse of the deep sea. Its distinctive appearance, characterized by a gelatinous body and webbed arms, captures the imagination. These cephalopods, classified within the genus Opisthoteuthis, are found in ocean depths far removed from human activity. This article explores whether this deep-sea inhabitant poses any danger to humans.
Flapjack Octopuses: A Harmless Deep-Sea Creature
Flapjack octopuses are not considered dangerous to humans. They are relatively small, typically measuring less than 20 centimeters (8 inches) in mantle length, which is their body size without including the arms. These octopuses reside in extreme deep-sea environments, with sightings recorded at depths ranging from 130 to 2,350 meters (430 to 7,710 feet), making human encounters exceedingly rare. Their natural habitat is characterized by cold temperatures and immense pressure, far beyond the reach of typical human activities.
The timid and elusive nature of the flapjack octopus contributes to its non-threatening status. Unlike some other octopus species, flapjack octopuses lack defensive mechanisms such as ink sacs or the ability to rapidly change color for camouflage. This absence of typical octopus defenses highlights their peaceful disposition and harmlessness to larger creatures, including humans. Their small size and deep-water habitat mean they are not equipped for aggressive interactions.
Characteristics of a Gentle Predator
The biological and behavioral traits of the flapjack octopus illustrate its gentle nature. These octopuses are predators, but their diet consists primarily of small, soft-bodied invertebrates found on the seafloor. They forage for tiny worms, crustaceans, and other benthic organisms by probing the sediment with their small sucker discs and cirri, which are hair-like projections on their arms. This feeding strategy involves consuming prey whole, rather than aggressively hunting larger organisms.
Their unique method of propulsion is indicative of their non-aggressive demeanor. Flapjack octopuses move through the water by rhythmically flapping their prominent ear-like fins, which also give them their “Dumbo” octopus nickname. They can also pulse their webbed arms or use slight jet propulsion from their funnel for movement, but these methods are generally slow and not indicative of rapid escape or predatory pursuit.
Defense mechanisms for flapjack octopuses are passive. Instead of active confrontation, they may flatten their gelatinous bodies to resemble a pancake, appearing less threatening to potential predators. They can also use “web inversion,” where they upturn their arms and the web around their mantle in response to disturbances. Their deep-sea habitat serves as their primary defense, as they are rarely, if ever, encountered by humans.