Researchers spot orange Maori octopus clinging to back of large shark off coast of New Zealand in December 2023

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.