It has been a long while since I had a squee-worthy thing to share with you under the guise of the Cuteness Alert. But I think you will agree that this Dumbo Octopus, so named for its “floppy ears” (which you can’t fully appreciate in this photo) is simply cuteness distilled. Squee.
Tag Archives: sea life
RIP Paul the Psychic Octopus
Did He See it Coming? (Image Source)
Paul the Psychic Octopus is now sleeping with the fishes at the tender age of 2. “Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight,” the aquarium in Germany says in a statement released Tuesday, October 26th, 2010. Continue reading RIP Paul the Psychic Octopus
Rainbow Jellyfish
“Jellyfish!”
Neatorama just posted a cool link to this National Geographic news story about a rare Rainbow Jellyfish. According to the report, “The jellyfish does not emit its own light, as bioluminescent creatures do. Rather, its rainbow glow emanates from light reflecting off the creature’s cilia, small hair-like projections that beat simultaneously to move the jellyfish through the water.” Awesome. This actually reminds me of a scene in the Wes Anderson film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which I saw again last night on IFC (great film, by the way) where hundreds of “Electric Jellyfish” wash up on the beach and Zissou’s crew run out to film it.
An Octopus with a Rubik’s Cube
Marine experts have given 25 octopuses (octopi?) a Rubik’s Cube each in a study aimed at easing their stress levels in captivity. Scientists believe the intelligent sea creatures have a preferred arm out of eight that they use to feed and investigate with. They are now testing this theory with a month-long observation project in which the octopuses will be given food and toys to play with. Read the full story here.
Thanks to Dark Roasted Blend for the tip!
Cool Things I Saw at the Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium Rocks
On my last day in Atlanta, I took a trip to the Georgia Aquarium, which has been open for just one year and is the largest aquarium in the world. Seriously. Here are some of the cool sea creatures I saw on my visit.