Footage depicting a Maori octopus attacking a draughtboard shark has prompted social media users to reconsider their deepest sea fears.
While many might think sharks are the most terrifying creatures to encounter underwater, this new footage suggests that tentacles should also be on your radar.
Australia’s leading offshore wind project, Star of the South Project, shared a video on Facebook showcasing ‘an epic battle between a draughtboard shark and Maori octopus’.
In the video, as the shark swims past, the octopus extends one of its long limbs to grab the shark, which opens its mouth wide, seemingly in alarm.
The octopus then clings onto the Australian swellshark, eventually enveloping it almost entirely. The shark appears distressed as it is tossed and turned by the octopus.
Interestingly, other fish seem to gather around, possibly relieved that the shark is the target and not them.
Fortunately for the shark, the octopus soon loosens its grip, possibly realizing the shark is too large to consume or simply losing interest. The shark then swims away.
The video quickly spread across the internet.
One user shared the clip on the Reddit thread r/OceansAreF**kingLit, commenting: “An octopus giving a shark a weird surprise hug.”
However, not everyone agreed with this interpretation.
One user responded: “Lmao that’s not a ‘weird surprise hug.’ That shark is getting eaten.”
Despite the Tasmanian Government noting that draughtboard sharks can be dangerous—since they have ‘small teeth’ but ‘tend to bite down on anything placed in their jaws and then roll and twist’—the Maori octopus is known to be one of the largest and most aggressive octopus species in New Zealand and Australian waters.
“The octopus tried but the shark was a little too big,” another user replied.
Another user joked: “That shark’s gonna check his pockets later and realize his wallet’s missing.”
“Jaws vs Tentacles,” added another Redditor.
The video has also caused a stir on Twitter.
While many Facebook users found the footage ‘fascinating’ and ‘awesome,’ others felt it was an unsettling reminder of the ocean’s potential dangers.
One Twitter user remarked: “Octopuses are not from this world.”
Another added: “This has an Alien World feel to it.”
A third commented: “Never seen an octopus eat before.”
And a fourth succinctly concluded: “Nature is scary.”
So, what do you think?