Written by Here’s another uncommon creature that was spotted just last year by Postdoctoral Fellow Stephanie Bush and her team from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I’ve not seen whether it’s received its official name yet, but the possible name being considered for this new octopus was Opisthoteuthis “adorabilis,” proving that sometimes even serious scientists have a great sense of humor. And it’s a pretty as this little creature is rather cute and related to the flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis californiana), made famous by the character of “Pearl” in Pixar’s Finding Nemo.
Researchers have actually been collecting and studying this super rare cephalopod since 1990, but they still know very little about it. The proposal of the uncommon and fun name caused the creature to make news, as it’s a rather exhaustive process to officially identify these creatures. Ms. Bush has exclusive naming rights due to her research, but we won’t know what she chooses until the process is complete. Its gooey body makes it rather fragile as though it was pulled out of a Jello mold before having time to set properly, but it’s the large eyes on that small body that make it appear so darn cute. Well, for an octopus, at least.
They float around underwater as though they are moving in slow motion by spreading their webs between their tentacles like a tiny parachute. As with many sea creatures, their movements are mesmerizing and magical to watch. This little octopus may not be well known or even have an official name yet, but it’s fun to know that these uncommon creatures exist in the world. If you know of one you’d like to see doodlewashed, please shout it out in the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Azo Orange, Pyrrol Red, Ultramarine Blue, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Sennelier L’Aquarelle: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
He’s cute in a weird sort of way! I’ve read that because of the vast size of the world’s oceans that there are countless numbers of still undiscovered creatures hiding in their depths. Thanks for introducing us to one of them.
Thanks Nancy! 😃💕glad you liked this one! Yeah…there’s so much we humans still haven’t discovered yet! Kind of cool to find these strange new creatures…as long as humans then stay out of their way, of course. 😉
That’s the thing, right. We have to be sure to not mess up their environment. We humans aren’t very good at that…☹
Sadly…no we aren’t! 😥
You probably already guessed that I would be in love with Cephalopoda, right? They’re fascinating in addition to being tasty. 😉 Your little fella is just darling! <3
Hehe…yeah I thought you might enjoy this one! Thanks Teresa! 😃💕 He was just too cutely weird to pass up! (But don’t eat him!! Lol)
I won’t! I stick to mainly cuttlefish now. 😉
Super adorable! And love how you doodlewashed it, Charlie! 💕🎨😃 I tasted octopus in Mexico – not my fav but many people liked it. 🐙🍴
Thanks Jill!! 😃💕 Yeah, it was everywhere in Spain as well… I didn’t like the texture. I think I’ll stick to doodlewashing them instead! Hehe
Give a nod to this rare cephalopod
He floats around in the Monterey Sound
jiggling like jello
A rather mellow fellow
A bit gooey when raw
Don’t eat him with slaw
When cooked much too chewy
you’ll spit him out . . .ptui
Exactly what I just commented on texture issues! Haha! Lovely pome, Judy!! 😃👍🏻
You manage to make everything look sweetly adorable, just like you, O’Bro! You have a gift for this!!! 💜💜💜
Awww thanks sis!! 😃💜I love to bring out the cute in animals, and this month there’s been some challenging ones! Hehe This guy was pretty easy though…like a little sea puppy!
How adorable.
Thanks so much!! Glad you liked this! 😃💕
Every time I think the current one is the weirdest, you manage to outdo yourself. Just amazing.
Lol… It’s definitely an interesting and unexpected month at least! These creatures are fun to discover! 😃
Adorable :-)! Such interesting little ear-like fins.
Aren’t they cute?! I saw those and knew I had to doodlewash him!! Hehe Thanks Myriam!! 😃💕
I think it’s just adorable! I hope it gets named soon.. I usually equate octopus with yummy, but it’s too cute to be yummy.. Lol..
Thanks Kari!! 😃💕 Glad you think he’s too cute to eat!! Lol
Delightfully adorable, Charlie! 🙂
Thanks so much!! 😃💕A little blob with “ears”…who could resist doodlewashing it?! Lol
Nature is fantastic, isn’t it…that’s why I love it so, as you obviously do too!
I do!! It’s endlessly fascinating!! 😊
I love octopi! But what are those little ears? You say nothing about them.
Oh yeah…I missed that bit! Sorry! 😊They’re tiny fins they use to steer themselves through the water! They look too small to be effective, but they move super slow anyway so it works! Hehe
Cool!
Another weird and fabulous creature, beautifully done Charlie. You’ve peaked my interest, I will go and do a little more reading about this unusual creature.
Thanks Sharon!! 😃💕 I knew I had to doodlewash this little one when I ran across him. Hehe… It’s fun discovering crazy creatures I never heard of before! Learning a lot this month! 😉
So are we, thanks 😍
good on ya’ Charlie! this guy looks so strange, he hardly looks Real… it is amazing what nature comes up with !! Don’t you think he’d make a Fantastic kids stuffed toy, or animal?! You know, YOU Could do that!!
Thanks Debi! 😃💕 He would make a fabulous plush animal!! Cool!! But I couldn’t make him…I can’t sew… Sketching is about all I can do! 😊 Though my mom did teach me to crochet when I was little. Can’t remember how to now though. Lol
well, you could hire out!! get ‘staff’ to do that part. 🙂 HE Was Awesome!!!
Haha…where is this “staff” you speak off?! That would be awesome!! Lol
hmmmm…. elves, brownies, little fairies… just no ‘sweat shop workers’!! lol You made me Laugh!! thanks Charlie!! have a great day ! Debi
Yay to elves…that would be fun! I guess Santa pays them well right, so it doesn’t qualify as a sweat shop? Hmmm…now you’ve got me wondering… Lol
they do have cute little uniforms!
True! lol
Now he looks strange, but cute also…off to look them up.this is a great learning month, thanks for sharing 😀
Thanks Rebecca!! 😃💕 Glad you’re liking this month…it’s certainly unusual!! Hehe… Not a lot on him specifically yet, but he’s related to the flapjack octopus. 😉
Oh I will look that up to…only just got home, so after checking mail I will have a browse.
Strange and cute in the same time!
Thanks Kathrin!! 😃💕I thought so too! This was a fun one to doodlewash!
Loving the bat ears! That is seriously weird – I congratulate you!!
Why thank you!! Lol 😃 Yeah…weird is the way this month. The ears are what caught my eye on this one. Forgot to mention they were little fins for steering in my write up. 😊hehe…Actually, I just preferred to think of them as cute little ears!
Adorably weird, or weirdly adorable! Very cool Charlie!
Haha!! I think it’s BOTH!! 😃👍🏻 Thanks Cathe!! 😃💕
Such a unique little bugger. Learning so much from you while enjoying your beautiful art. You are a one of a kind buddy!!! Thank you !!
Awww thanks Jodi!! 😃❤️ you’re a charmer too! Hehe… I’m so happy you’re liking this weird theme! It’s been a fun month, though these creatures are tough to paint with no built in visual references in my head! 😳
I can see this one starring in the next Disney movie! I hope it has an agent! (K)
Hehe…I’m sure Pearl will be back in Finding Dory so this guy needs a great agent to trump her before the next movie!! Hehe
i like it!
Thanks! So happy you do! 😃
Definitely another for the ‘so outlandish it can only be genuine’ camp! Awesome stuff – were I not already sold on the eyes, I think the ‘ears’ would seal the deal… I was expecting a google to yield a less pretty image than your doodlewash, but no, they really are rather cute!
They are aren’t they?! Hehe…so glad you liked this one. I thought it was super cute and deserved to be doodlewashed! I think if like one as a little friend, but something tells me they would be high maintenance. Worse than a seal! Lol
Even worse? 😉 It’s a good thing we can’t cater for these whims, I’d be stuck with half the creatures you’ve painted!
Oooooo…. But then you could open your own little zoo! Fun! Lol