cephalopod of the day: the adorabillis

adorabilis is a species of deep-sea umbrella octopod (it also falls under the "dumbo octopus" category) that was discovered in 2014 in the pacific ocean. it is known for its unique, umbrella-like shape and its adorable appearance, hence its name, which means "adorable behind-the-eye octopus".

adorabillis is a small octopus, with a mantle length of only about 4-5 cm! it has a thin, transparent body and long, delicate tentacles, which give it its umbrella-like appearance. its arms and tentacles are lined with tiny, suckering cups, which it uses to cling to rocks and other surfaces in the deep sea. it has two large, black eyes, which are located on the sides of its head and are surrounded by a ring of small, white dots.

adorabilis is found at depths of up to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) in the pacific ocean, in areas with rocky, muddy, or sandy bottoms. it is a solitary species, living and hunting alone in the deep sea. it feeds on small crustaceans and other small animals that it captures with its tentacles.

despite its scrungly appearance, very little is known about adorabilis and its behavior in the wild. further research is needed to understand more about this mysterious and fascinating species and the role it plays in the deep-sea ecosystem!!