Footage of an octopus riding a shark has stunned scientists – and delighted marine animal enthusiasts.

Researchers spotted the orange Maori octopus clinging to the back of a large shortfin mako shark in the Hauraki Gulf off the northern coast of New Zealand in December 2023. The University of Auckland research team was searching the ocean for feeding frenzies at the time.

The marine scientist Rochelle Constantine was confused at first about what exactly she was seeing, thinking the orange patch on the shark’s head might be an injury.

“At first, I was like: ‘Is it a buoy?’” Constantine told the New York Times. “‘Is it entangled in fishing gear or had a big bite?’”

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