SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Save the Tree Octopus | Commentary by Dianne Erskine Hellrigel

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Save the Tree Octopus | Commentary by Dianne Erskine Hellrigel

SCVNews.com | Sunday, Nov 13, 2016

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“Help Save the Endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus from Extinction.”

This is the headline of the website that caught my attention. My first reaction was, no way. But here was this great website full of the details of this crazy tree octopus. The website stated that its scientific name was Octopus paxarbolis and that it could be found in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic peninsula.

Their habitat was described as being on the eastern side of the Olympic mountains, adjacent to the Hood Canal. Could this possibly be the first creature that crawled out of the ocean to become a land animal?

The further I read, I discovered they were both land and water creatures. The web site stated that because of the extreme moisture in the area, the habitat was well suited for the octopus. (At this point, they used the word, “octopuses” instead of octopi, but I let it pass as a mistake anyone could have made.

Apparently, the tree octopus is intelligent and inquisitive and well suited to arboreal adaptation, being able to pull itself along tree branches by instinctively using “tentaculation.” The tree octopus’ limbs were described not as mere limbs but sensory organs, capable of sensing its environment and its “footing,” if you will, as the octopus climbs along the tree branches in search of food.

Far away from its original ocean habitat, the tree octopus developed a taste for insects, frogs, rodents and bird eggs. Their eyesight on land is comparable to human eyesight, enabling them to see and hunt their prey.

The tree octopus, unable to speak, displays emotions through the use of color. Red, as you might anticipate, indicates anger; white, fear. Their normal color is a mottled brown which they use as camouflage while in the trees.

The tree octopus migrates back to the ocean every year near Puget Sound to mate in the Hood Canal. The young stay in the water until they migrate into the forest to begin their adult lives.

The tree octopus is not officially listed on the endangered species list. I checked. The website claimed they were critically endangered, and people were lobbying to get it placed on the endangered species list because their numbers were falling due to logging, decimation of habitat and the encroachment of man. They also mentioned the predation of house cats in the forest. They then cited other tree octopi that have become extinct including the Douglas octopus and the red-ringed madrona sucker. These special octopi became prized by the fashion industry, apparently, and their skins were used as decoration on a variety of men’s and women’s clothing. The use of skins was outlawed, but not before it was too late to save these two beautiful octopi.

Efforts are being made to preserve the remaining tree octopi and educate uncaring loggers who claim they are a nuisance because they favor the old growth and most valuable trees. Myths abound in the area about the tree octopus attacking humans, distressing damsels and entangling the lumberjacks.

These misunderstood and gentle creatures should not be subjected to the practice of tree octopus eradication. Please help save the tree octopus. If you care enough to help save the tree octopus, please write a letter to your congressional representative.

Writer’s note: This was an Internet hoax that was started in 1998 by a man named Lyle Azpato. It caused quite an uproar, especially in the Pacific Northwest. People began claiming to have seen them in the wild. Bottom line, don’t believe everything you read – especially on the Internet.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.

Comment On This Story

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26 Comments

Lou F says:

Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at

This is a hoax. Either way I have enjoyed many of your past writings and thank you for your efforts! Blessings, Lou

Reply
- SCVNews.com says:
  
  Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at
  
  you must not have read it
  
  Reply
- Colton says:
  
  Wednesday, Mar 6, 2024 at
  
  No fweaking way
  
  Reply
Mark Holland says:

Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at

Dee Holland

Reply
Ryan Connor says:

Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at

I have one of these as a pet

Reply
Denise Whatley says:

Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at

Always love it when the myth is, once again, propagated. Do note, however, that octopuses IS the preferred plural of octopus. Discussion, video and dictionary references here:
https://www.tonmo.com/threads/is-octopi-the-correct-plural-of-octopus.4637/

Reply
Willy Jay says:

Monday, Nov 14, 2016 at

Enough of your Crab – http://www.arkive.org/coconut-crab/birgus-latro/

Reply
Lew Latka says:

Monday, Nov 14, 2016 at

If paint it purple Detroit fans will appreciate it!!

Reply
Matt Randall says:

Tuesday, Nov 22, 2016 at

Good article Dianne and a point that needs to be pointed out to everyone over and over and over and over again. The internet is NOT a new source. Facebook is NOT a news source….

Reply
Dakota says:

Wednesday, Apr 19, 2017 at

i really like tree octipus

Reply
Sarah says:

Monday, May 8, 2017 at

Do you guys even realize that the tree octopus is fake? Seriously! Wake up! I’m only in third grade! Look it up in the dictionary! Look it up in an encyclopedia! I’m telling ya, you are most likely to not find it!

Reply
Jimmy says:

Thursday, Sep 21, 2017 at

My science teacher is making our class learn about this tree octopus. I am really board and i tires of her telling us that this is a real animal.?????????????????????

Reply
- cheese says:
  
  Monday, Oct 6, 2025 at
  
  learn to spell
  
  Reply
THIS IS sUCH A HOAX says:

Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017 at

FAKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Reply
- SCVNews.com says:
  
  Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017 at
  
  …. which you know if you read it
  
  Reply
bob says:

Friday, Jan 25, 2019 at

i totally disagree if you think you can blabber how this creature is not real you can not, why don’t you go and look for yourself if your so smart. they are real……………… and why would they be in the dictionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??
the article is awesome??❤??? ,by the way in am 6th grade. humph

Reply
connor shultz says:

Tuesday, Feb 26, 2019 at

your trash at fortnite

Reply
Blaise DuBree says:

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at

is a tree octopus real or fake? because there are just videos of dancing octopuses in trees

Reply
joe says:

Thursday, Jan 14, 2021 at

I have the BIGGEST feeling that this is fake they just put it up there for money and fame and stuff so people know who they are i guess but its ok.

Reply
joe says:

Thursday, Jan 14, 2021 at

I have the BIGGEST feeling that this is fake they just put it up there for money and fame and stuff so people know who they are i guess but its ok.i still believe it

Reply
E says:

Monday, Feb 22, 2021 at

this is sooooooooooo real B)

Reply
Colton Wolken says:

Monday, May 3, 2021 at

Definitely real, my dad was taken by one.

Reply
Amy Whistle says:

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021 at

My uncle breeds these. 100% real. Definitely not sarcasm.

Reply
Your Mom says:

Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021 at

DFLSKJF:LSKJFJSK
I JUST SAW SOMEONE SAY “my dad was taken by one”
IM DYING

Reply
infinity says:

Thursday, Dec 9, 2021 at

ITS NOT LYING GUYS ITS NOT FAKE

Reply
gabe says:

Monday, Feb 26, 2024 at

it’s real i’ve kissed one before “btw i’m better at fortnite than you.

Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

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