What is telescope octopus?

Telescope octopus, also known as the Cirroteuthidae family, is a group of pelagic octopuses characterized by their long, slender arms and a distinctive telescope-like appearance due to the presence of cirri (hair-like structures) on their arms. These octopuses are deep-sea dwellers, found at depths ranging from 200 to 2,500 meters.

Telescope octopuses are typically small in size, with a mantle length of around 10-20 cm. They have a gelatinous body and a transparent appearance, which helps them blend into their deep-sea environment. These octopuses have unique feeding habits, using their long, flexible arms to trap and subdue their prey, which primarily consists of small fish and crustaceans.

Little is known about the reproductive behavior of telescope octopuses, but it is believed that they reproduce via external fertilization, with the female laying a large number of small, planktonic eggs that hatch into planktonic larvae.

Telescope octopuses are not commonly encountered by humans due to their deep-sea habitat, and therefore, there is limited information available about their behavior and ecology. However, they play an important role in the deep-sea ecosystem as predators, helping to maintain the balance of marine populations.