Meet Dumbo!

Deep in the ocean where sunlight cannot reach their lives a special creature called the Dumbo Octopus. Its real name is the Grimpoteuthis (Dumbo Octopus).

People call it “Dumbo” because it has two fins on its head that look like big, floppy ears that are just like the cartoon dumbo elephant!

What Does Dumbo Look Like?

Dumbo is a small and soft animal that is 8 inches tall. When Dumbo is in the ocean it looks like floating jelly. 

What Does Dumbo Look Like?

Dumbo has ear-like fins that help them ‘fly’ through the water, gliding easily and saving energy as they swim in the deep ocean.

What Does Dumbo Look Like?

Dumbo has a soft, jelly-like body that helps him stay safe under the ocean’s strong pressure. With no hard bones or shell, he is flexible and light, perfect for deep-sea life!

What Does Dumbo Look Like?

Dumbo has eight arms joined by a thin web, which help dumbo to glide through the water and gently catch its food on the ocean floor.

What Does Dumbo Look Like?

Dumbo’s suckers help dumbo to grab and hold its food. Some of them can even ‘taste’ the water to find tiny treats!

A Home In the Deep Blue Seas!

Dumbo Octopuses lives very deep in the ocean. It is dark and cold, and where the water presses down very strongly. It sounds scary, but Dumbo feels very safe there. Very few animals can live so deep, so Dumbo is known to be one of the sea creatures that lives so deep.

Dumbo’s Big Family

Dumbo belongs to a big family of animals. Scientists like to organize animals into groups, almost like a giant family tree. The giant family tree is called KPCOFGS. 

First we have K which is Kingdom and Dumbo goes into the Animalia section because Dumbo is an animal just like dogs, birds, and even us humans!. 

Next comes P which is Phylum, and Dumbo belongs to the Mollusca group, animals with soft and squishy bodies! Just like snails and clams!. 

Now we have C which is “Class” Dumbo is a Cephalopod, a group of super smart sea animals with many arms and wiggly arms! Just like squids and other types of octopuses. 

Up coming is our O which is Order and Dumbo belongs to the Octopoda group where you will find 8 arms that help the animal to explore and feed itself!.  Our Dumbo has 8 arms just like the other octopuses living in the sea! 

Here comes F for Family! Dumbo belongs to the Grimpoteuthidae family, a special umbrella-shaped species that lives in the deep dark cold ocean!

Coming along, we have G for Genus! Dumbo is part of the Grimpoteuthis group, octopuses with cute, ear-like fins!

And finally, we have S for Species! Dumbo is one of many special kinds of octopuses and each one is a little unique!.