Glass Octopus

Glass Octopus

The Glass Octopus is one of the two species belonging to the genus Vitreledonella. It was initially referred to by Louis Joubin, the French naturalist in honor of whom the Atlantic Pygmy Octopus got its scientific name Octopus Joubini.  

This octopus species is very rarely encountered and the few information scientists have managed to gather comes from specimens found in stomachs of predators. It is considered one of the least studied cephalopods.

What distinguishes these octopus from all other octopus species is the fact that they only possess a single row of suckers on their arms, with the suckers widely separated from each other.

Glass Octopus Facts

  • Scientific Name : Vitreledonella Richardi

  • Common Name: Glass Octopus

  • Size: up to 45 cm

  • Weight: 25 – 30 grams

  • Lifespan: Unknown

  • Found in: Tropical and Subtropical waters

  • Sub-Order:  Incirrina

  • Discovered: 1918

  • Scientific Name : Vitreledonella Richardi

  • Common Name: Glass Octopus

  • Size: up to 45 cm

  • Weight: 25 – 30 grams

  • Lifespan: ​​​Unknown

  • Found in: Tropical and Subtropical waters

  • Sub-Order:  Incirrina

  • Discovered: 1918

The Glass Octopus is a very interesting octopus species, as it is one of the very few species which has evolved in order to adapt to very harsh conditions. The truly astounding characteristic of the glass octopus is that, as its name suggests, it is completely see-through.

—Distribution—

Distribution

The glass octopus can be found almost everywhere in the world. It inhabits tropical and subtropical waters. Therefore, you will not find one swimming in the frozen waters of the Arctic or Antarctic Oceans.

It is a mesopelagic to bathypelagic octopus. The mesopelagic zone begins at a depth of around 200 m (650 feet) and ends at 1000 m (3300 feet) under the sea surface, where the bathypelagic zone begins. The bathypelagic zone ends at approximately 4 km (13000) under the sea surface, giving its place to the abyssopelagic zone. As only 1% of the light reaches the beginning of the mesopelagic zone, the areas that the glass octopus inhabits are completely dark. The average temperature in the bathypelagic zone is approximately 4 °C (39 °F). No light means that no plant life can develop. Some organisms living at these depths do not have eyes, nor powerful muscles to protect themselves as not many predators can endure the harsh conditions of these depths.

—Physical Appearance—

The Glass Octopus is nearly transparent, gelatinous and pale. It resembles a glass sculpture, and that is why it was named like that. The physical appearance of this species is a means of protection at the depths it inhabits. Much like camouflage, transparency makes this octopus less noticeable to its predators. Moreover, its invisibility allows it to capture its prey more easily.

Its average mantle length is about 11 cm (4,3 inches) whereas its total length can amount to 45 cm (17,8 inches). In comparison to most species, the Glass Octopus is relatively small in size.

Another differentiation regarding this species’ anatomical characteristics is the eyes. They are elongated and appear almost rectangular in shape from the side. As the eyes, which are not transparent as the rest of the body, can betray the position of the Glass Octopus to its predators, this octopus normally positions itself in such a way that the shadow of its eyes will not appear on the ocean floor. Their elongated shape limit peripheral vision but makes them less visible when seen from below.

The digestive gland, aside from the eyes, is the only visible part of the Glass Octopus. It is peculiarly long and narrow.

The fourth pair of their arms, known as the ventral pair, is shorter than the rest. Each arm possesses only a single row of small, widely separated suckers.

The Glass Octopus also has a differently shaped radula, described as heterodont or heteroglossan. The middle teeth of the radula have many cusps whereas the lateral teeth only have one.

—Mating and Reproduction—

Like other octopus species, the male Glass Octopus has one modified arm known as the hectocotylus, which transfers the sperm to the mantle cavity of the female. Unlike other species, which self-amputate this arm and present it to the female, the male Glass Octopus has a non-detachable hectocotylus.

The female lays hundreds of eggs at a single birth. The brooding of the eggs takes place within the mantle cavity of the female. The length of each egg is about 4 mm. The mantle length of hatchlings is about 2,2 mm. Newly borns are usually found closer to the sea surface and move to higher depths as they grow older.

—No Camouflage Needed—

The Glass Octopus is a very interesting octopus species, as it is one of the very few species which has evolved in order to adapt to very harsh conditions.

In the depths of the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones, it is pitch dark. The Glass Octopus is nearly transparent, the only opaque parts of its body being the digestive organs and eyes. The Glass Octopus might not be able to change colors similar to most octopus species, but its transparency performs the same function with camouflaging. It renders it almost invisible to its predators.

In this way, the Glass Octopus manages to survive and evade its enemies, as well as surprise its victims.

Hopefully, as technology advances and enables scientists to move deeper into the oceans, we will get to know this amazing creature better. For the moment, it suffices to admire its unparalleled beauty.