Octopus version of Houdini
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
United States
May 3, 2018 12:12pm CST
Sometimes it amazes me how smart animals are. This is one of those cases.
An octopus that was rescued from a fishing net had been in captivity in an aquarium in New Zealand. The zookeepers had noted that the octopus was adjusting to zoolife, except that it had to be kept amused otherwise it got bored.
I don't know what a bored octopus does - but apparently it escapes.
This one managed to crawl out of it's tank, and tunnel it's way down a storm drain to escape back to the ocean.
How did the octopus know that the storm drain lead to water? Why would it want to crawl out of it's cozy tank and regular meals to risk getting caught in a storm drain?
Sometimes animals do some amazing things.
Inky evidently decided a life in captivity wasn't for him.
9 people like this
10 responses
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 May 18
It is so amazing how smart they are! Maybe we could learn a thing or two from them!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 May 18
@FayeHazel Haha, I know stingrays all too well! They are more prevalent on the west coast of Florida than on the east coast, so if I ever go to west coach beaches I have to do the "stingray shuffle" when entering the water. That's when you shuffle your feet instead of taking steps, so that you don't step on a stingray!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
6 May 18
@moffittjc Oh cool! I would love to see one in the wild. I don't think I would like to step on it though. Ugh. Flappy sea-pancake.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
So true! I am particularly mystified by the sea-pancakes I saw at an aquarium once. What are they actually called again.... uh.... uhm.... yknow.... round disc fish with tail....
Sting ray! That's it....
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
4 May 18
@FayeHazel Many persons reacting to the article have noticed that it is weird that a pipe goes directly to the Ocean. I was also thinking that it was forbidden since several years. This octopus should have bought a lottery ticket, it was his day
.
.1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
Some of each methinks! Actually that's another thing. How did the Octopus possibly suss out that the pipe lead to the ocean or water?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
6 May 18
@topffer Oh dear. Now I hope that the pipe went to the ocean in actuality. I hope it wasn't added in the article to add a positive spin. Otherwise Octohoudini ended up in a storm sewer or something. *groan*
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
Amazing that it was that smart. I hope it's happy in the ocean now
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
Hm, good point there.... sort of sobering in a way
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29882)
• Manila, Philippines
3 May 18
I think there are things that we dont understand about animals that is beyond science. That octopus wanted its freedom. 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
I think you are right. It would probably amaze us what animals really know
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29882)
• Manila, Philippines
5 May 18
@FayeHazel Thank you, Faye. Yes, that is true. There is more than meets the eye.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209016)
• United States
3 May 18
I guess all species have their "geniuses." Thinking about an animal with a high IQ who would think ocotopus?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
Lol, that's true. Maybe this , individual Octopus is particularly bright :-)
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
3 May 18
This one knows where he belongs!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
3 May 18
Maybe the zookeppers should have given it a TV to watch Spongebob.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
lol! Yeah that was another question I had. How does one amuse an Octopus?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 May 18
I am amazed it knew that the pipe lead to water
1 person likes this
