University of Auckland researchers filmed an octopus clinging to the head of a shortfin mako shark near Kawau Island, New Zealand, in December 2023. The unusual encounter is real, but the footage does not show why the animals came together—or what happened after the researchers left.
How researchers spotted the octopus
Professor Rochelle Constantine and her University of Auckland team were aboard a university vessel in the Hauraki Gulf, looking for “workups”—feeding frenzies where marine animals gather to feed. They noticed a large metallic-grey dorsal fin belonging to a shortfin mako and an orange patch on the shark’s head. At first, they wondered whether the patch was a buoy or an injury.
The team launched a drone and put a GoPro in the water. The footage revealed an octopus perched on the shark’s head and clinging with its tentacles. Constantine described seeing it as “something unforgettable” in her University of Auckland account.
Where the “sharktopus” was filmed
The encounter took place near Kawau Island in the Hauraki Gulf, off New Zealand, during a research trip in December 2023. The shark was a shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus). The available account identifies the other animal as an octopus; a more specific species identification is not established in the University of Auckland account.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- 【2K Ultra HD Camera】Loiley drone features a high-quality 2K HD camera with a 90° remote adjustable angle, allowing you to capture breathtaking photos and ultra-clear videos from the sky. Whether it's a scenic landscape or a special family moment, this drone helps you preserve every beautiful memory with precision. Simply connect your smartphone to the drone’s camera to enjoy a real-time panoramic view, and easily share your adventures directly to social media with just a tap
- 【User-friendly & Optical Flow Positioning】 The Loiley drone operation is magically simple—press the one-touch start/land button to begin flying. With headless mode and gravity sensing, you only need to tilt the controller up, down, left, or right to make the drone fly forward, backward, or sideways. The upgraded optical flow positioning ensures more stable and controllable flight, allowing you to focus on photography. Altitude Hold helps you capture high-quality photos and videos effortlessly
- 【Take it with you】 Loiley drone with camera is your ultimate travel partner! It is small and lightweight, and the size is only 5 x 3 x 2 inches when folded, which can be easily put into a pocket or backpack. Weight under 250g to save you from FAA registration. Whether you're going on an outdoor adventure or exploring new places, you can easily take this mini drone with you and capture amazing aerial shots wherever you go
- 【Safe and Long Battery Life】With two rechargeable drone batteries, this drone extends the flight time to approximately 26 minutes, providing a worry-free flying experience. The batteries are easy to charge and replace, with built-in overvoltage protection. The remote controller emits a low battery warning, ensuring beginners never lose their RC drone
- 【Professional After-Sales Support】A mini drone with a camera makes for a cool and creative gift. Along with that, the package includes a portable bag for outdoor travel. The drone comes with propeller guards, spare fan blades, and remote control batteries, ensuring safety and reliability. Additionally, 24-hour technical support, quality warranty, and Accessories Supply services are provided for customer satisfaction
Did the octopus deliberately ride the shark?
The footage shows the octopus clinging to the mako, but it cannot establish that the octopus chose a ride, that the shark intentionally carried it, or why they came together. “Riding,” “hitchhiking” and “passenger” are vivid shorthand, not evidence of either animal’s motive.
Constantine called the pairing mysterious because octopuses are mostly associated with the seabed, while shortfin makos do not favor deep water. That raises the question of how the animals met, but the footage does not answer it. It does not show whether the octopus was feeding, escaping a predator, hiding, or seeking transport.
Rank #2
- No Registration Needed - Under 249 g, this drone with camera for adults 4K does not require FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational use. Visit the FAA's official website for requirements related to drone registration and Remote ID. [1]
- 4K Ultra HD & 3-Axis Gimbal for Cinematic Quality Shooting - Capture stunning moments in any light—sunrises, sunsets, and night scenes with crystal-clear 4K resolution. Thanks to the 3-axis gimbal, you can achieve cinematic-quality footage with this advanced drone with camera.
- 38kph (Level 5) Wind Resistant - This drone for adults has a stable flight even in Level 5 winds. Brushless motors enhance power and allow takeoff at altitudes up to 4,000 meters.
- Due to platform compatibility issue, the DJI Fly app has been removed from Google Play. To ensure a better product usage experience, please log in to the DJI official website to download the latest version of DJI Fly.
- Uninterrupted Creation with Extended Battery Life - There are three sets available for you to choose from: 1-battery set (31-min), 2-battery set (62-min), or 3-battery set (93-min). [3] Say goodbye to battery anxiety and let nothing hold you back.
What happened after the video?
The team watched the pair for about ten minutes, then moved on. Constantine said she could not report what happened next. The footage also does not establish how long the octopus had been attached before the team arrived, or whether the same behavior occurs regularly. The available accounts provide no frequency study or encounter-rate statistic, so they cannot establish how rare this is.
How fast is a shortfin mako?
Shortfin makos are described as the fastest shark species, but published top-speed figures differ. Neither figure is a measurement of the shark in this video.
Rank #3
- No Registration Needed - Under 249 g, this drone with camera for adults 4K does not require FAA registration or Remote ID for recreational use. Visit the FAA's official website for requirements related to drone registration and Remote ID. [1]
- 4K Ultra HD & 3-Axis Gimbal for Cinematic Quality Shooting - Capture stunning moments in any light—sunrises, sunsets, and night scenes with crystal-clear 4K resolution. Thanks to the 3-axis gimbal, you can achieve cinematic-quality footage with this advanced drone with camera.
- 38kph (Level 5) Wind Resistant - This drone for adults has a stable flight even in Level 5 winds. Brushless motors enhance power and allow takeoff at altitudes up to 4,000 meters.
- 10km Max HD Video Transmission-up to 10 km (32,800 feet) [2] of HD video transmission and has excellent anti-interference capabilities, giving you the ability to freely explore vast landscapes and see clearer.
- Due to platform compatibility issue, the DJI Fly app has been removed from Google Play. To ensure a better product usage experience, please log in to the DJI official website to download the latest version of DJI Fly.
| Source | Reported species maximum | What it means for this encounter |
|---|---|---|
| Rochelle Constantine, University of Auckland, 2025 | 50 km/h | A reported maximum for the species, not the speed of the filmed shark. |
| Live Science, 2025, attributing the figure to Oceana | Up to 46 mph (74 km/h) | A different reported species maximum, not a measurement from the footage. |
The figures are not interchangeable measurements of this individual shark. The video gives no speed reading.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the encounter can—and cannot—say about sharks
Constantine’s account notes that sharks can be vulnerable to population collapse because they are long-lived, mature slowly and reproduce at a low rate; she identifies overfishing as a threat. She also describes the Hauraki Gulf as connected habitat: estuaries and nearshore waters matter for pupping, mangroves and seagrass shelter pups, the seabed provides food, and open water supports larger fish eaten by pelagic sharks.
Rank #4
- 【2K Ultra HD Camera with Adjustable Angle】Capture stunning aerial footage with the 2K HD camera (90° remotely adjustable angle), perfect for scenic landscapes or family moments. Enjoy real-time FPV transmission to your smartphone via Wi-Fi, and instantly share your adventures on social media with just one tap!
- 【Smart & Stable Flight Controls】Take off and land effortlessly with one-key control, while Altitude Hold ensures steady hovering for smooth shots. The upgraded Optical Flow Positioning enhances flight stability, and Headless Mode + Gravity Sensing make steering intuitive—simply tilt the controller to fly in any direction!
- 【Ultra-Portable & Travel-Friendly】Weighing under 250g (FAA registration-free) and folding down to just 5 x 3 x 2 inches, this mini drone fits in your pocket or backpack. Take it anywhere—whether hiking, traveling, or exploring—and never miss an epic aerial shot!
- 【Double Flight Time & Safety Features】Includes 2 rechargeable batteries (20 mins total runtime) with low-voltage alerts and overcharge protection. Propeller guards and spare blades prevent damage, while the ergonomic remote ensures precise control for beginners and experts alike.
- 【Perfect Gift with Premium Support】Loiley mini drone with a camera makes for a cool and creative gift. The package includes a travel bag, spare parts, and 24/7 technical support. Backed by a quality warranty, Accessories Supply services are provided for customer satisfaction—just fly, film, and enjoy!
Her suggested conservation measures include restoring habitat, reducing pollution such as sediment runoff, and minimizing recreational and commercial fishing bycatch. This single encounter, however, is not evidence of a population trend.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
