Rare Footage Captures Octopus Riding Shortfin Mako Shark in New Zealand

The unusual encounter, filmed by University of Auckland researchers, highlights the mysteries of marine life and the urgent need for ocean conservation.

Researchers from the University of Auckland captured footage of an octopus clinging to a shortfin mako shark during a December 2023 expedition in the Hauraki Gulf.
The interaction, lasting approximately ten minutes, featured the octopus gripping the shark's head with its tentacles while both animals appeared unbothered.
This rare sighting is notable as octopuses are typically deep-sea dwellers, while shortfin mako sharks are surface swimmers, raising questions about their behavior.
The footage, released online in March 2025, has drawn significant public and scientific interest, emphasizing the importance of marine biodiversity research.
With global shark populations declining by 71% over the past 50 years due to overfishing and bycatch, researchers stress the need for conservation to protect such extraordinary marine encounters.

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