Visitors to a Scottish beach were astounded by the discovery of a rare ‘seven-legged’ octopus that had appeared on the shore. The unusual find, colloquially known as a septopus, was located in pieces along the Ythan estuary, which lies close to the Forvie National Nature Reserve in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire.

With its limbs stretching to an impressive 20 inches, experts believe this deep-sea creature was likely a female. The sheer size of the remains suggests it once navigated the ocean depths with grace and power.

Dr. Lauren Smith, a marine biologist affiliated with the research organization Saltwater Life, described the discovery as ‘an extraordinary find,’ though she admitted the circumstances of its arrival on the beach remain puzzling. The mystery surrounding its appearance has piqued the curiosity of many.

Speculation abounds regarding the septopus’s journey to the shore. It is conceivable that the creature met a grim fate at the hands of hungry whales, which might have attacked it before its remains were carried to land by the tide.

“It may have been trawl-caught and then discarded, or perhaps it fell prey to a whale,” Dr. Smith suggested during an interview with the Daily Mail. The true story of this marine enigma may never fully unfold, but it certainly has captured the imagination of both scientists and the public alike.

‘It may have been trawl-caught and thrown back, or predated on by a whale,’ she told the Daily Mail. 

‘Or somehow it found its way into the shallow waters and become disoriented then predated on.

‘Specimens are being sent various labs and museums. It’s very rare to get this species to work with so everyone is exited.’ 

The final missing piece of the creature to be found was the beak and the three arms (pictured) which washed onto shore last Thursday 

The discovery has now been confirmed as Haliphron atlanticus, commonly known as the giant gelatinous octopus or seven-arm octopus  a species typically found in waters deeper than 1,600 feet (500 metres)

Dr Smith found out about the remains when a friend sent her photos that were circulating online following the sighting by beachgoers on November 30. 

The final ‘missing piece’ of the creature to be found was the beak and the three arms, which washed onto shore last Thursday (December 4). 

‘All parts and photographs will be from the same individual,’ Dr Smith said. 

Photos and measurements taken at the scene quickly ruled out any of Scotland’s native coastal octopus species. 

It had been initially thought the remains might be of a giant squid (Architeuthis dux) – a species with a few historic records in Aberdeenshire, including Newburgh in 1998. 

However, the absence of the characteristic ‘toothed’ suckers seen in the giant squid suggested otherwise. 

Instead, it has been confirmed as Haliphron atlanticus, a species formally identified in the 19th century, also known as blob octopus or septopus. 

This species is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide, from the Azores west of Portugal, Puget Sound at Washington State and Chatham Rise, New Zealand. 

Experts think the unfortunate septopus might have been attacked by hungry whales before its remains washed along the shore

It had been initially thought the remains (pictured) might be of a giant squid (Architeuthis dux) – a species with a few historic records in Aberdeenshire, including Newburgh in 1998. However, the absence of the characteristic toothed suckers seen in the Giant Squid suggested otherwise

The identification has been agreed upon by researchers in California, New Zealand and Natural History Museum London

Septopus is typically found in waters deeper than 1,600 feet (500 metres) – known as ‘the twilight zone’ due to lack of sunlight that penetrates so far down. 

Males of the species are quite small, typically only reaching 8 inches (21 cm) long, but females are comparatively enormous, reaching 13 feet (4 metres). 

Despite their name, the seven-arm octopus actually has eight arms like other octopuses – but there is a reason why it’s known as such. 

As is typical of octopuses, male Haliphron atlanticus individuals have a special modified arm (a ‘hectocotylus’) for transferring sperm during mating. 

But the species tends to keep this arm tucked into a sac beneath their right eye, giving the appearance of only seven arms. 

‘Likely the first specimen was just observed to have seven arms and the name stuck,’ Dr Smith told the Daily Mail. 

Nevertheless, this is a ‘remarkable and rarely documented’ species, which has even fewer recorded appearances in northeast Scotland than the giant squid. 

For now, the remains of the deep-water giant gelatinous octopus are in Dr Smith’s freezer, where they will stay until ‘the not too distant future’, she said.

Remains of the deep-water giant gelatinous octopus (aka the blob octopus) washed ashore in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. Arms measure about 20 inches 

Following outreach to cephalopod specialists worldwide and the sharing of images on social media, the identification was confirmed as Haliphron atlanticus

They will be studied and preserved at Aberdeen University, TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, National Museum Scotland and Natural History Museum London. 

‘To have a deep-water species like Haliphron atlanticus appear here is incredibly rare and offers a valuable opportunity for further study,’ Dr Smith added. 

‘The recovered remains have been frozen down for further study, with some potentially being preserved as museum specimens.’ 

Dr Steve O’Shea, a marine biologist, environmentalist and world expert on cephalopod (octopus and squid), helped verify the species. 

The identification has been agreed upon by researchers in California, New Zealand and Natural History Museum London.