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View Full Version : Octoporn, anyone?


naughtyangel
05-13-2004, 10:10 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...-2004May12.html
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - It looks like J-1 is in love. After meeting the very fetching and slightly younger Aurora, he changed color and his eight arms became intertwined with hers. Then, the two retreated to a secluded corner to get to know each other better. We're talking about giant Pacific octopuses here.

Aquarists at the Alaska SeaLife Center introduced the 5-year-old J-1 to Aurora on Tuesday morning. The two really hit it off. Spermatophores were seen hanging from J-1's siphon.

"We really were not sure he had it in him," SeaLife Center aquarium curator Richard Hocking said Wednesday.

Love almost passed J-1 by. At 5 years of age and 52 pounds, he's reaching the end of the line for his species, the largest octopus in the world. J-1 is in a period of decline that occurs before octopus die. His skin is eroding. His suckers have divots.

"He's not as strong as he used to be," said aquarist Deanna Trobaugh.

With so little time left, J-1 wasn't going to let the sweet Aurora slip through his eight octopus arms. While she had to make the first move, he caught on quickly, especially for an octopus who was collected on a beach near Seldovia in 1999 when he was about the size of a quarter and has lived the bachelor life since.

To get the two together, aquarium staff put Aurora in a plastic bag and then gently poured her into J-1's 3,600-gallon exhibit tank. She sank to the bottom of the tank and then made the first move, going over to J-1, who was hanging on a rock wall.

She reached out an arm and touched him. Only then did he wake up to the fact he had company. Contact made, she went back to her corner of the tank. J-1, dispelling water from his siphon to get quickly across the tank, was in hot pursuit.

"They both were gripping the back wall of the tank. He just about covered her completely," Hocking said.

The two remained intertwined for about eight hours. It's possible that during that time when J-1 was exploring Aurora's mantle with his many suckered arms that he passed his sperm packet to her, Hocking said.

What the aquarium staff does know is that when they separated, J-1 flashed some colors, turning almost white and then dark red.

"It looks like instinct took over during that encounter and they did what they were supposed to do," Hocking said.

If Aurora did get cozy with J-1 and accept his spermatophores, or sperm packet, which is delivered from the only arm without suckers, she will produce anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 eggs, which when hatched will look like little squid.

"It is just possible, we may see several thousand fertile eggs soon," Hocking said. "We can only wait now and see what nature does."

If with many, many children, Aurora - who was about the size of a grapefruit when she was found in 2002 living inside an old tire in front of the SeaLife Center - will stop eating while she tends her eggs. She will weaken and die soon after they hatch.

Hocking said it seemed only right to give J-1 a chance to do what octopuses normally do before he dies.

In his younger days, J-1 was an easygoing sort who did not try to escape his tank a lot, Hocking said. When aquarium staff would come by to clean, the octopus would reach out and grab hold of someone's arm or a window cleaning tool.

"The goal for this was to let him lead a full life," Hocking said.

ummmm.......

Steph
05-13-2004, 10:38 AM
almost sexy? :)

naughtyangel
05-13-2004, 10:44 AM
it's almost something, lol

cowgirltease
05-13-2004, 11:07 AM
awwwww that's so sad! being alone all your life then you finally meet the right one, make love then have to die!!!!:(
poor Octopuses!

gekkogecko
05-13-2004, 03:12 PM
OK, octoporn is nice, but giant squid are still sexier.

Sharni
05-13-2004, 03:16 PM
And the circle of life continues :)

Eros
05-14-2004, 01:05 AM
Hey...I've been to the Alaska Sea Life Center..and that shit WASN'T on the tour!!!

scotzoidman
05-14-2004, 08:17 AM
I only have but 8 arms to hold you...






naaaahhhh, that don't work....

Oldfart
05-14-2004, 09:09 AM
7 arms and 1 leg.

Oldfart
05-14-2004, 09:12 AM
7 arms and 1 foot?

imaginewithme
05-14-2004, 09:14 AM
Originally posted by cowgirltease
awwwww that's so sad! being alone all your life then you finally meet the right one, make love then have to die!!!!:(
poor Octopuses!


But man, wouldn't that be the perfect way to go? In love, after making love to that sexy person you find so attracted to????

yum........

Kissy
05-14-2004, 09:02 PM
Ok so it's sweet for him, but she's going to have 100,000 kids and then die from taking care of them? Oh lord! :rolleyes: :p

SuzyQ
05-14-2004, 11:23 PM
And he won't be paying support?

Wicked Wanda
05-15-2004, 11:10 AM
Hmmm... I have been out with a few men who seemed to have at least eight hands. (and no brain)

Wanda

dicksbro
05-22-2004, 01:13 AM
Seriously, it was kind of a sentimental story. :)