Aging Octopus Finds Love at Last

My favorite story of the day...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040513/ap_on_sc/octopus_love

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.

more...

it made me smile for a change. :)

Got some action before he died.

to be covered on statuary, etc., throughout the Department of (In)Justice.

:-)