Golf ball-sized octopus discovered near the Galápagos Islands
A new species of tiny octopus, Microeledone galapagensis, has been discovered near the Galápagos Islands. This bright blue octopus, found at a depth of about 5,800 feet, is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. Researchers used non-destructive CT scanning technology to study the specimen without damaging it, confirming it as a novel species.
- ▪Microeledone galapagensis was first encountered during a deep sea expedition in 2015.
- ▪The octopus was spotted at a depth of approximately 5,800 feet near Darwin Island.
- ▪CT scanning technology allowed researchers to study the octopus's anatomy without destroying the specimen.
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| Original publisher | Popular Science |
| Canonical URL | https://www.popsci.com/environment/blue-galapagos-octopus/ |
| Publication time | Sun, 24 May 2026 21:01:00 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-25T01:02:35.161Z |
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The tiny octopus lives at an ocean depth of about 5,800 feet. Credit: Charles Darwin Foundation Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Email address Sign up Thank you! Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. A tiny, bright blue octopus Microeledone galapagensis is small enough to fit inside the palm of your hand, but good luck trying to meet one. According to marine biologists, you’ll likely have to settle with admiring it from afar for now unless you have access to a deep sea submersible—and a ticket to the Galápagos Islands. M. galapagensis is described for the first time in a study published today in the journal Zootaxa, but scientists actually first encountered the octopus in 2015.
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