Otto, an octopus living at the Sea Star Aquarium in Coburg, Germany, seems to have a flair for interior decoration. According to the aquarium directors he periodically rearranges all of articles in his tank to "suit his own taste better, much to the distress of his fellow tank inhabitants." It is unclear if he actually prefers his home certain ways or if he's just seeking attention. He has been known to juggle hermit crabs and to throw rocks against the glass walls and damaging them. But Otto's greatest feat thus far concerned a bright spotlight that shone into his tank at night.
Otto tries to figure out how to smuggle a gun into his tank...
Apparently, Otto did not like the spotlight, so he hoisted himself out of the top of his cage and squirted water on it, causing a short circuit that killed the light and more. Said a spokesperson,"It was a serious matter because it shorted the electricity supply to the whole aquarium that threatened the lives of the other animals when water pumps ceased to work." It took the directors three days to discern what had happened, and rather than turn off the light to appease Otto, they simply moved it higher so he couldn't reach it...Nice guys.
Nick Van Der Horst comes through again...Thanks, man!
Brain & Behavior
Comments
Fight the man, Otto! Fear of a Mollusk Planet!
Posted by: booge | November 7, 2008 3:59 PM
So it's bored. I wonder if they'd play computer games, if you made it possible?
Posted by: Paul Murray | November 7, 2008 8:45 PM
This article is not quite correct. It was gleaned from several incorrect articles that falsely claim Otto was annoyed with the light.
A simple trip to the web site of the aquarium will establish that Otto is bored, not annoyed.
http://www.sea-star.de/SeaStar/Aktuelles.html
"A number of newspaper articles suggest that we believe that Otto had been annoyed by the bright light shining into his aquarium. This is incorrect as Otto grew up in his aquarium and is hence very used to his environment. Furthermore we only use special aquarium lights which aren't very bright and Otto's exhibit is equipped with a dark overhang and caves. "
Posted by: Au D'Heau | November 9, 2008 7:07 PM
Actually, according to a different website, we're both wrong. It turns out Otto had a complicated relationship with his mother, which led to him having feelings of inferiority and difficulty sometimes, connecting with women whom he found intelligent. Apparently, when Otto was a lad, he lived with his mother in a tank that had a large spot light overhead. Now whenever he sees a spotlight it fills him with feelings of inadequacy mixed with not just a little bit of frustration over the injustice of having a mother who was possibly never capable of real love.
So that's probably what went on instead.
Posted by: Benny | November 10, 2008 7:06 PM