

Malesof the Flapjack Octopus appear to perform various rituals to attract the female. It does, however, also employ both its webbed arms, in a pulsing motion, as well as even using its flap-like fins atop the head! These include, of course, pushing water through its jet, like most other related species. It moves via a surprising combination of methods.

This generally places the animals in the benthic zone, near the ocean bottom. The specimens observed appeared at depths ranging from 660 – 4,900 ft (200 -1,500 m). The other known zones of habitation consists of the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, along with a location just off the coast of central Honshu.Īll reported sightings indicate it has a preference for open ocean, and at certain ranges of depths. One region where the animal’s been sighted lies off the coast of California, in the United States, in North America. For the moment, that’s just one more of the things science does not yet know with any certainty, where this particular creature is concerned. It remains possible, however, that it once had a larger range, but now only exists in small populations in these few areas. This likely further indicates a wide, perhaps even global, range of distribution. That’s because it’s only been sighted in a few, widely separated locations. Unfortunately, the precise range of distribution for the marvelous Flapjack Octopus remains an uncertaim matter. In this, the unique creature resembles some of the known varieties of squid.ĬC License: Flapjack Octopus Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology Two small, wing-shaped structures also appear on the head, typically above the eyes. The small, but efficient eyes of this fascinating Mollusc develop affixed to the top of the bulbous head.

Its eight jointed legs are fixed together, with the mantle itself strung between them, creating the umbrella appearance. It does, however, often display small whitish portions along the edge of the mantle.

In color, the remarkable Flapjack Octopus typically appears primarily red. It’s a trait generally shared with the rest of its genus, though. That particular trait also distinguishes it from most known cephalopods. Unlikely many of its kindred, however, it displays no noticeable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In fact, individuals rarely attain a mantle length of more than 8 in (20 cm). That holds true due to the fact that this species of umbrella octopus remains relatively tiny. The cephalopod does not, however, impress one due to size, relying on its appearance for that. This surrounds a dome-shaped inner portion, though the body’s highly gelatinous in nature. That, as can be clearly seen here, consists of a flattened shape for the mantle. The amazing Flapjack Octopus derives it most frequently used common name from its overall shape. Related Articles Caribbean Reef Octopus North Pacific Giant Octopus Atlantic White Spotted Octopus Source: ĬC License: Flapjack Octopus Physical Description Climate change, however, is likely its greatest threat. These include such factors as habitat loss or degradation, and commercial fishing practices. The Flapjack Octopus nonetheless likely faces the same potential threats as other species around the world.This umbrella octopus seems reluctant to yield its secrets! The IUCN, therefore, now lists it as Data Deficient on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species. For the moment, little specific data concerning its population and range exists.This event occurred as a direct result of the efforts of the American marine zoologist, Samuel Stillman Berry. The first scientific notation of this cephalopod as a separate and distinct species only took place in modern times.No matter which term one uses to refer to it, it has a unique appearance. That’s the less descriptive, and certainly less pronounceable, term of Opisthoteuthis californiana.
#Flapjack octopus professional
