http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics...ecks-havoc.html

Otto the octopus wreaks havoc
A octopus has caused havoc in his aquarium by performing juggling tricks using his fellow occupants, smashing rocks against the glass and turning off the power by shortcircuiting a lamp.



Staff believe that the octopus called Otto had been annoyed by the bright light shining into his aquarium and had discovered he could extinguish it by climbing onto the rim of his tank and squirting a jet of water in its direction.

The short-circuit had baffled electricians as well as staff at the Sea Star Aquarium in Coburg, Germany, who decided to take shifts sleeping on the floor to find out what caused the mysterious blackouts.

A spokesman said: "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 was on the third night that we found out that the octopus Otto was responsible for the chaos.

"We knew that he was bored as the aquarium is closed for winter, and at two feet, seven inches Otto had discovered he was big enough to swing onto the edge of his tank and shoot out the 2000 Watt spot light above him with a carefully directed jet of water."

Director Elfriede Kummer who witnessed the act said: "We've put the light a bit higher now so he shouldn't be able to reach it. But Otto is constantly craving for attention and always comes up with new stunts so we have realised we will have to keep more careful eye on him - and also perhaps give him a few more toys to play with.

"Once we saw him juggling the hermit crabs in his tank, another time he threw stones against the glass damaging it. And from time to time he completely re-arranges his tank to make it suit his own taste better - much to the distress of his fellow tank inhabitants."

Ah an octopus with initiative.....and why not rebel -- as a denizen of the deep where it is dark - he's only acting according to his nature. What is the 2000W light needed for? Doesn't an octopus deserve humane treatment, where are the cruelty to animalsorganizations, this is torture........form a free Otto movement......or move him to a tank without a light except during exhibit open hours, if the light is just to enable gawking.


Maybe he is just protecting his health.......what does he do in the dark, less mischief or can anyone tell?

Power to Otto!!!

love this story.

Thanks canjcat.......comforting to know of the crisis of a different species. Ane we think we have problems.


lenal

You are welcome, lenal! I found Otto and his plight in artificial surroundings quite fascinating.......I like his personality.

Good for Otto! I respect his spirit. Why on earth do they have those lights on his tanK? Octopus abuse!

I had always heard that octopuses are the smartest invertebrates, but I didn't realize they were *this* smart.

Go get 'em Otto.

I love when people (the zookeepers) don't respect their guests and their guests fight back.
Like Randall in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Guess they will give Otto a lobotomy next.

Zoos and aquariums are a big conundrum aren't they?

Maybe the idiot who needed to hug a panda bear and got mauled a few weeks ago, should visit Otto and hug the loveable octupus.
After all, Otto has 8 arms and could give the idiot 4 hugs at once.
Ever kiss an octupus?

BTW-speaking of animals, did you see the video of the dog that got hit on a highway and was lying their, when out of nowhere another dog
came running and dragged the injured one to safety on the side of the road? I couldn't get a link for that video, but it was on I think on rawstory
or drudge two days ago.