An unexpected marine phenomenon was observed in New Zealand waters: an octopus riding a shark. This unusual scene, captured by researchers, raises questions about interactions between marine species.

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Wednesday Davis An octopus has been spotted catching a ride from an unlikely marine ...

Researchers spotted an orange blob near a shark's head. It turned out to be an octopus along for a ride. Wednesday Davis / University of Auckland In December 2023, marine ecologist Rochelle ...

The rare sighting, captured on video off the coast of New Zealand and shared by scientists affiliated with the University of Auckland, shows a Maori octopus riding on top of a mako shark, which is the ...

HAURAKI GULF, New Zealand – Scientists were treated to quite a curious sight when they saw an octopus clinging onto the head of a mako shark off the coast of New Zealand, University of Auckland ...

A very strange marine life encounter caught on video left scientists baffled when it was first spotted in New Zealand waters in 2023. More than a fanciful shark-octopus hybrid featured in low-budget ...

“A large metallic grey dorsal fin signalled a big shark, a short-fin mako. But wait, what was that orange patch on its head? A buoy? An injury?" Constantine recalls. "We launched the drone, put the ...

Where it lives: Western Pacific Ocean, off the coasts of Northern Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. What it eats: Fish, crabs, squid, cuttlefish, octopus and other sharks. Why it's awesome: The ...

"The shark may not be bothered by the octopus — it certainly didn't appear to be bothered as it swam along slowly," Constantine said. "The octopus was keeping all of its tentacles together on the ...