AssetID: 54619129
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Octopus Rides On A Shark Like A Jockey In Amazing Scenes Captured In New Zealand
Caption: An octopus has been found hitching a ride on a shark in an encounter that has left scientists flabbergasted. Researchers in New Zealand observed the striking scene in December 2023 in the Hauraki Gulf, off NZ’s northern coast. An orange Māori octopus was seen clinging to the head of a large shortfin mako shark. The team from the University of Auckland had been scanning the ocean for feeding frenzies when they made the unexpected discovery. Marine scientist Rochelle Constantine initially struggled to believe the scene. A technician launched a drone to get a closer look. As they approached, they identified tentacles – confirming they had stumbled upon what they dubbed the world’s first “sharktopus”. The Māori octopus is the largest octopus species in the southern hemisphere but was especially surprising given that octopuses usually inhabit the seabed, while shortfin mako sharks are rarely found near the ocean floor. The scientific team are now looking into why the incredible incident occurred.
Keywords: jockey,octopus,shark,new zealand,video,photo,animal,fish,nature
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