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MONTEREY, Calif. — An unnamed octopus in California might be the cutest species discovered yet.
The tiny octopus, which is a gelatinous specimen with large eyes, was launched into the Internet limelight as part of Science Friday’s second annual Cephalopod Week. The cephalopod group includes octopi, squid, nautiluses and cuttlefish.
Researchers have collected specimens of the cute octopus since 1990, but it hasn’t been named yet, Science Friday reported. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is currently studying the animal.
“As someone that is describing this species you get to pick what the specific name is,” researcher Stephanie Bush told Science Friday. “One of the thoughts I had was making it Opisthoteuthis adorabilis, because they are just really cute.”
Cephalopod Week starts Friday and runs through June 26. Science Friday is partnering with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, American Museum of Natural History and Ocean Exploration Trust to share stories about the intriguing underwater creatures.
