Thursday, September 4, 2008

Defenders of Sea Life: a Family Thing

Papaw picked up a gorgeous Cockle shell still hinged on the beach yesterday. While he was walking back he felt something on his fingers and thought that the muscle must still be inside... wrong. Inside was a baby octopus! I have never in my life, in dozens of trips to this area, ever seen octopuses but here we are putting them back in the Gulf everyday. Amazing.

I didn't think that an octopus could support itself out of the water but these little guys are frenzied and fast! You cannot hardly hold onto them for them scrambling to get away.
Unfortunately, Daddy found one that did not make it. We have studied it, counted suckers (80 per tentacle)... G wants to dissect it but I'm a wimp. He wants to see it's brain. Ugh. I am thinking of trying to preserve it.... we'll see.


6 comments:

Ms Eva said...

You're on a roll! I'm elated that you take advantage of the moment & find 'teachable moments' in the everyday. Kudos! :D

Dana Leeds said...

Oh, man!!! That's incredible! I can't believe you're finding baby octopi! Yes, I'm trying to contain myself and not drive to find you... wherever you are. I love that you are looking at the tentacles and studying the little guy. It's just amazing!

Sherri said...

Wow...you are so lucky!!!

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Jennifer said...

That's awesome!!! What a great opportunity!! You've got to dissect him. How cool!!

Cortni said...

That is really cool!!