Rare ‘Sharktopus’ Sighting Stuns Scientists Off New Zealand Coast
A Sharktopus — a deep-sea octopus clinging to a mako shark — was caught on camera off the northern coast of New Zealand.
Spotted in December 2023 by a University of Auckland research team, the rare and puzzling sighting left scientists stunned and searching for answers.
No one knows why the octopus hitched a ride, but the footage has sparked global curiosity.
What Exactly Is a Sharktopus?
The unusual duo featured a Maori octopus clinging tightly to the head of a shortfin mako shark, a species known for its speed and open-water habitat. At first, the research team thought the shark might be tangled in debris or injured. But a closer look — thanks to drone footage and underwater GoPro footage — revealed otherwise.
“It was definitely working to keep itself very contained on top,” said Rochelle Constantine, marine biologist and expedition leader.
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The octopus, orangey-brown and massive, kept its tentacles tightly wrapped around the shark’s head, peeking out only occasionally.
An Unlikely Deep-Sea Encounter
The Maori octopus is one of the largest octopus species in the Southern Hemisphere, typically found near the ocean floor. In contrast, mako sharks roam mid-water zones and only occasionally dive deep. These species rarely — if ever — cross paths in the wild.
That’s what makes this sighting so strange. As Constantine put it:
“How they actually found each other is the greatest mystery. They have very different worlds.”
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Could the Octopus Be Hiding?
Some scientists speculate the octopus may have been trying to escape a predator, possibly even the shark itself.
Dr. Verena Tunnicliffe, a marine biologist at the University of Victoria, thinks the octopus may have latched on in defense:
“It’s a very bright animal — where’s the safest place? Guess it’s hoping it will be able to slip off without notice.”
Whether this was a clever survival move or a freak accident, it has marine biologists buzzing worldwide.
A Viral Moment That Raises Big Questions
The drone footage of the sharktopus has gone viral, sparking global curiosity and conversation. But for scientists like Constantine, it’s more than just a viral clip — it’s a reminder of how much remains unknown in ocean science.
“I want people to stop and reflect on how much we don’t know, how cool the ocean is and how important it is for us.”
The sharktopus, for all its mystery, is a compelling call to continue exploring and protecting Earth’s least-understood frontier: the deep sea.
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/shark-octopus-puzzled-1.7492694
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/24/science/video/sharktopus-maori-octopus-mako-shark-new-zealand-digvid
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/21/octopus-shark-ride
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