The flapjack octopus has been the foundation of many child-associated themes, including sketchbooks, soft toys, cookies, and so on. At times, it is affectionately addressed with its common name, ghost octopus, because it looks like a shifting ghost, including its mantle. These small, red octopuses are known for their adorable appearance as they unfold into the form of a red parachute, even as maneuvering through the water. They are one of the seven individuals belonging to the genus Opisthoteuthis. This species, the flapjack devilfishes, are a kind of cephalopod. It is because of how flattened they appear that they have been given the common name of flapjack or pancake devilfish. In addition, this species is often thought to be benthic, which means that they are able to swim at the bottom of the sea. This species’ swimming ability even helps them to pounce on minute prey species!Here on our page, we have a lot of interesting facts on the flapjack octopus for everyone to enjoy. Let’s have a look at these interesting facts, and if you do like these, you could read our mimic octopus facts and blue-ringed octopus facts.
Fun Flapjack Octopus Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
Flapjack Octopus Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a flapjack octopus?The flapjack octopus of the genus Opisthoteuthis is a rarely spotted and less-studied species that belongs to the group of pelagic umbrella octopuses and is a notably new creature. It was first sighted during the mid 20th century.What class of animal does a flapjack octopus belong to?The flapjack octopus of the genus Opisthoteuthis has a small mantle length and belongs to the Cephalopods class of animal.How many flapjack octopuses are there in the world?There is no information on the population of this adorable octopus as it lives in the deepest depths of the ocean. There have also been sightings of a pink flapjack octopus!Where does a flapjack octopus live?They had been located across California at depths of 1148 ft (350 m). They’ve also been sighted in parts of Japan, including 1738-1837 ft (530–560 m) off Kashima Nada, the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, central Honshū within the northwestern areas of the Pacific Ocean, to southern parts of California within the northeastern parts of the Pacific Ocean. However, maximum specimens have been sighted off the coasts of Japan and California.What is a flapjack octopus’s habitat?Flapjack octopuses spend their life in seas and oceans such as the Pacific Ocean.Who do flapjack octopuses live with?Flapjack octopuses (Opisthoteuthis californiana) live on their own, exhibiting a solitary lifestyle. The adorable young ones stay with the females until they reach maturity, and they then leave to be independent octopuses.How long does a flapjack octopus live?The precise lifetime length of the flapjack octopus species is not yet known. However, the predicted embryonic development time range is from one to two years, from which their minimal longevity may be assumed.How do they reproduce?Prior to mating, the males of the flapjack octopus species are seen to perform diverse types of sexual rituals, which they perform to draw potential females so they can copulate. During the procedure of mating, the males might hold the female close with the aid of its body and placing its hectocotylus (a modified arm) into the mantle cavity (the important feature of a mollusk), in which the fertilization within the females eventually occurs.A mature female can produce something between 225-475 eggs. The embryos are hatched out right into a planktonic stage. While the grownup male flapjack octopuses usually die quickly after spawning, the female flapjack octopuses might wait until brooding.What is their conservation status?The flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis californiana) is listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List as there is not enough information on their population.Flapjack Octopus Fun FactsWhat do flapjack octopuses look like?The flapjack octopus generally presents as a darkish orange-red color. They have fins above their eyes, much like the ones located on a few species of squid. They have eight jointed legs which can be affixed collectively in an umbrella form. They have a gelatinous body, which spreads right into a parachute form while maneuvering through dimly lit water. They can flatten down at any time like a pancake to seem like a flapjack, consequently appearing much less threatening to their prey. The fins on the mantle look like ears. They have a row of suckers on each arm, which helps them to catch their prey for their diet.How cute are they?The appearance of this species of octopus is so cute and adorable that scientists initially wanted to keep its scientific name as Adorabilis. They are often known as pearls because of the flapjack octopus named Pearl in the children’s film ‘Finding Nemo’.How do they communicate?The Opisthoteuthis genus octopus species communicate with their arms and body language. Since they have eight arms, they can easily communicate with others. They can even ward off predators with this action.How big is a flapjack octopus?The maximum flapjack octopus size is 7.9 in (20 cm) in length. The Opisthoteuthis is 10 times bigger than a sea slug.How fast can a flapjack octopus swim?The Opisthoteuthis species swim by moving the fins, in addition to pulsing their small webbed arms. In order to swim, they may additionally push the water by means of creating jet propulsion through their funnel at times. However, they are even able to use all of the above three methods at once. However, there is no exact information on the swimming speed of the Opisthoteuthis species.How much does a flapjack octopus weigh?The Opisthoteuthis octopus weighs 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g). These marine octopuses are not big and are very lightweight.What is the name of the male and female of the species?There are no sex-specific names for males and females.What would you call a baby flapjack octopus?There is no specific name for a baby octopus.What do they eat?The flapjack octopus diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, plankton, and worms. They can catch them with their long arms, which makes hunting easy. These octopuses are quite able to search and kill their prey. They accomplish that via means of pouncing on their prey and killing them with their beaks. They are called the flapjack octopus due to the fact they compress themselves, acting extra flattened, consequently appearing non-hostile to their prey. Using this technique, they may be capable of hunting their prey.Are they dangerous?The Opisthoteuthis octopuses are not dangerous and do not harm humans but do feel easily threatened and end up hiding from intruders in the depths of the sea under rocks.Would they make a good pet?Since the Opisthoteuthis Californiana octopuses are small in length and aren’t usually regarded to be violent towards humans, they can make great pets for humans. However, because these Opisthoteuthis octopuses stay within the extra depth of the sea, they don’t do nicely in water which is shallower than at least 984 ft (300 m). Therefore it is healthiest for them to live in their natural habitat, in the wild, and not in captivity.Did you know…Flapjack octopus vs. dumbo octopus: The Opisthoteuthis californiana octopuses are known for flattening out their body, while the dumbo octopuses are known for their ear-like fins that are flappy.Flapjack octopus adaptations: The eyes of the flapjack octopus is round, outstanding, and bovine-like, while their fins are ear-like. This offers the whole creature the form of a staring face, sufficient to startle its enemies, specifically the dangerous predators. The very length of these Opisthoteuthis califeorniana octopuses allows them quick cover inside crevices or beneath rocks if attacked.Some other interesting octopuses include the Caribbean reef octopus, greater blue-ringed octopus, and the day octopus.How does the flapjack octopus breath?The gills permit the flapjack octopus species to breathe in oxygen, after which they exhale via a tube known as a siphon. If an octopus breathes rapidly and exhales hard, it could swim backward via way of means of jet propulsion.Can you have a flapjack octopus as a pet?If given the right living conditions, it is legal to have a flapjack octopus pet. The Opisthoteuthis californiana octopus prefers to stay alone, and they don’t like tank mates. They have also adapted to thrive in deep waters, so that must be kept in mind when attempting to keep them as captive pets.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our serow facts and bay cat facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable flapjack octopus coloring pages.
What type of animal is a flapjack octopus?
The flapjack octopus of the genus Opisthoteuthis is a rarely spotted and less-studied species that belongs to the group of pelagic umbrella octopuses and is a notably new creature. It was first sighted during the mid 20th century.
Fun Flapjack Octopus Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
Fun Flapjack Octopus Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
Fun Flapjack Octopus Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
Fun Flapjack Octopus Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
What do they prey on? Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat? Carnivores
Average litter size? 350
How much do they weigh? 0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they? 7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type Slimy skin
What were their main threats? Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status? Data Deficient
What do they prey on?
Small fish, crustaceans, plankton, worms
What do they eat?
Carnivores
Average litter size?
350
How much do they weigh?
0.05-0.06 lb (25-30 g)
How long are they?
7.9 in (20 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
Red, orange, pinkish
Skin Type
Slimy skin
What were their main threats?
Predators, Mollusks
What is their conservation status?
Data Deficient
Where you’ll find them? Oceans
Locations California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
Where you’ll find them?
Oceans
Locations
California, Japan, Pacific Ocean, Sea Of Okhotsk
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Opisthoteuthis
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Opisthoteuthis
Class Cephalopoda
Family Opisthoteuthidae
