- The unfortunate octopus was up against it as he took on an enormous seal in the bizarre open ocean battle
- The cape fur seal viciously thrashed the helpless octopus around whilst holding it in its mouth in South Africa
- The striking photographs were taken by Wim Van Den Heever, 45, in False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
A seal was captured in an astonishing set of photographs thrashing an octopus around by its tentacles in order to break it into bite-sized pieces.
This unfortunate octopus was up against it as he took on an enormous seal in the bizarre ocean battle.
The cape fur seal viciously thrashed the helpless octopus around whilst holding it in its mouth, in an effort to break up its meal for the day.
The striking images were taken by Wim Van Den Heever, 45, in False Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.
Wim, from South Africa, said: ‘When a seal catches an octopus that is too big to swallow they take them to the surface and violently thrash them about, so that the octopus can be small enough for the seal to swallow it.
‘It’s known behaviour but is very rarely seen, let alone photographed.
‘My favourite image from the series is the one that shows the octopus intact with the seal holding it in its mouth – it really captures the ferociousness of the seal.
Sucks to be you! The seal thrashes the octopus around in the water as it holds on tightly with its mouth, making sure its meal isn’t lost
Ten-tackle! The octopus is sent skyward by the powerful thrust of the seal who breaks it into small pieces before devouring its meal
Helicopterpus! The octopus is stretched to breaking point by the seal who can be seen here whipping the animal around
Sea legs! The seal continues to thrash around in the water with the remainder of the octopus in its mouth. Many of its tentacles have been broken off
Fast food! The octopus flies above the surface of the water in South Africa as the seal holds onto a chunk of its dinner in its mouth
Dead in the water: Photographer Wim Van Den Heever (pictured right) who captured the amazing set of photographs in South Africa
Wave goodbye! The seal thrashes around with what’s left of the octopus’ corpse which has been ravaged in the attack
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