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Save the Tree Octopus | Commentary by Dianne Erskine Hellrigel
| Sunday, Nov 13, 2016

DianneErskineHellrigel“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.

octopus04Apparently, 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.

octopus01The 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.

octopus02Efforts 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.

 

octopus03

 
Comment On This Story
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25 Comments

  1. 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
  2. Mark Holland says:
    Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at

    Dee Holland

    Reply
  3. Ryan Connor says:
    Sunday, Nov 13, 2016 at

    I have one of these as a pet

    Reply
  4. 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
  5. Willy Jay says:
    Monday, Nov 14, 2016 at

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

    Reply
  6. Lew Latka says:
    Monday, Nov 14, 2016 at

    If paint it purple Detroit fans will appreciate it!!

    Reply
  7. 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
  8. Dakota says:
    Wednesday, Apr 19, 2017 at

    i really like tree octipus

    Reply
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. THIS IS sUCH A HOAX says:
    Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017 at

    FAKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

    Reply
  12. 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
  13. connor shultz says:
    Tuesday, Feb 26, 2019 at

    your trash at fortnite

    Reply
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. E says:
    Monday, Feb 22, 2021 at

    this is sooooooooooo real B)

    Reply
  18. Colton Wolken says:
    Monday, May 3, 2021 at

    Definitely real, my dad was taken by one.

    Reply
  19. Amy Whistle says:
    Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021 at

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

    Reply
  20. Your Mom says:
    Tuesday, Oct 19, 2021 at

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

    Reply
  21. infinity says:
    Thursday, Dec 9, 2021 at

    ITS NOT LYING GUYS ITS NOT FAKE

    Reply
  22. gabe says:
    Monday, Feb 26, 2024 at

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

    Reply

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