This dumbo octopus is cute!

The NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer spotted this dumbo octopus during its Gulf of Mexico 2014 expedition. Many of the scientists and others on the cruise identified it as a highlight of the expedition.

Scientists say it displays a body posture that has never before been observed in a cirrate octopod (Cirrata is one of the two main divisions of octopuses.)

And non-scientists say it displays a cuteness never before observed in an octopus!

Find out more from NOAA

Eleanor Imster

Eleanor Imster has helped write and edit EarthSky since 1995. She was an integral part of the award-winning EarthSky radio series almost since it began until it ended in 2013. Today, as Lead Editor at EarthSky.org, she helps present the science and nature stories and photos you enjoy. She also serves as one of the voices of EarthSky on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and G+. She and her husband live in Tennessee and have two grown sons.