Researchers in New Zealand recently captured incredible footage of an octopus seemingly hitching a ride on the back of a shortfin mako shark. This unusual sighting occurred during a research expedition in the Hauraki Gulf, near Kawau Island, in December 2023. The encounter highlights the surprising interactions between marine life and underscores the importance of ongoing research and conservation efforts.
Octopuses are typically deep-sea dwellers, rarely seen near the surface. Mako sharks, on the other hand, are known to inhabit shallower waters. This makes the observed interaction all the more intriguing. Rochelle Constantine, a professor at the University of Auckland’s School of Biological Sciences, described the event in a university publication. Her team was engaged in a project monitoring marine life in the Hauraki Gulf, including shark populations, when they spotted the unlikely pair.
“A large metallic grey dorsal fin signaled a big shark, a short-fin mako. But wait, what was that orange patch on its head? A buoy? An injury? We launched the drone, put the GoPro in the water and saw something unforgettable: an octopus perched atop the shark’s head, clinging on with its tentacles,” Constantine wrote.
How the octopus ended up on the shark remains a mystery. The researchers only observed the duo for about ten minutes, so the ultimate fate of the unlikely pair is unknown. Given that mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are the fastest shark species, capable of reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour), the octopus may have experienced quite the thrilling ride.
This unique observation underscores how much we have yet to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants. Constantine emphasizes the importance of marine conservation. While sharks often feature as menacing predators in popular culture, they are far more vulnerable to human activities than we are to them. She notes that in 2024, there were only 47 unprovoked shark attacks and seven resulting fatalities worldwide.
“One of the best things about being a marine scientist is that you never know what you might see next in the sea. By supporting conservation initiatives, we can help to ensure that such extraordinary moments keep happening,” Constantine concluded.
