Octopus struggles to avoid becoming a dolphin's lunch off the coast of EnglandPhoto by José luis Rivera correa on Pexels
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Octopus struggles to avoid becoming a dolphin's lunch off the coast of England

extra29 August 2026 at 13:00

A scene recorded off the coast of Devon, England, is helping biologists understand the habits of the Risso's dolphin, a little-studied species. The images, taken by volunteer Bill Coulson, affiliated with the Risso's Dolphin Project South-West, show an octopus apparently catching a ride with a dolphin.

However, experts believe the two species were actually engaged in a battle. The octopus was doing everything it could to avoid becoming the dolphin's lunch, not enjoying a friendly ride. The outcome of the duel is unknown.

The sighting comes as scientists investigate unusually high numbers of octopuses being observed off the southwest coast of England. Risso's dolphins primarily feed on squid and other cephalopods, and the recent abundance of octopuses may be creating new feeding opportunities for these cetaceans.

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