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RIP, Paul the Score-Predicting, Soccer-Loving Octopus

Morgan Ashley Parker — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:20:51 PDT

Paul the psychic octopus had a great record ~~on the field~~ in the tank for the 2010 World Cup, going eight for eight predicting Germany's results and calling Spain as the victors in the final. Sadly, the almost-3-year-old, English-born creature died this morning, with his official German statement reading:

He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night, of natural causes, and we are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here and that the care provided him by our dedicated displays team could not have been bettered.

If you missed his prediction prowess, the caretakers would place a yummy mussel in two clear plastic containers and place a flag of each competing team on the respective containers. Paul first chose the treat from the team he thought would win . . . before eating the second treat, too. Although the octopus officially retired after this year's big games, he was still visited and praised around the world.

See pictures of past calls and soccer playtime when you

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Octopus: Love It or Hate It?

Katie Sweeney — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 07:00:56 PDT

When swimming in the sea, octopus may be slimy and a little creepy, but on the plate, if cooked correctly, it's a delicious treat. It's light and luxurious tossed in a salad or flavorful and filling plated with potatoes. Although I've yet to cook it at home, I always order octopus when it's on a restaurant's menu. How do you feel about it?

Do You Eat Octopus?

partysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:50:34 PDT

Do You Enjoy Trying New Things?

partysugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:50:57 PDT

Last week my sister and I went to dinner at a new restaurant, Pizza Nostra, that recently opened in San Francisco's Potrero Hill district. While the flat, crusty pizzas piping hot from the wood-burning stove were delicious, it was the grilled octopus with chickpeas, celery, and lemon antipasto that stood out in my mind.

Although she'd never had octopus, my sister boldly dove in and was pleasantly surprised by the mild taste and slightly chewy texture. We both could not get enough and swore that even our mother - who's afraid of eating more exotic cuisine like octopus - would enjoy the perfect combination of flavor and texture in the dish. However, my mother is not as adventurous as my sister and she doesn't really enjoy trying new things.

Be it a restaurant, recipe, ingredient, or culinary technique, how do you feel about the matter? Do you like tasting new experiences?

Roundup: Octopus's Garden

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:00:09 PST

Did you know there are around 300 recognized octopus species? Luckily, there are plenty of octopi in the ocean of interior design to go around, too. The De La Espada Double Octopus Chandelier ($1,995), with its globe body and bulb-tipped legs, is a fabulous example of all of the spirited octopus-motif items I have in store for you. See the rest when you

Anxious Octopuses Pick Up Objects to Reduce Stress

PetSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:00:01 PDT

Not only do your pets have a dominant hand, but researchers think that octopuses do too! In a month-long observational project, UK scientists are testing their theory that intelligent creatures have a dominant arm (in this case, tentacle) used to feed and investigate. Researchers will record which tentacle the Octopuses use to pick up objects, hoping to reduce stress levels in captivity. Huh – what does picking up things have to do with stress levels, you ask? Claire Little, a marine life expert at the Sea Life Center in the UK explains:

We hope the study will help the overall well-being of octopuses. They are very susceptible to stress so if they do have a favorite side to be fed on, it could reduce risk to them.

The fun part is that visitors to the Center will get to participate in the study by jotting down on a diagram which arm was used to pick up objects such as balls and Lego bricks, while staff will continue the observation at feeding time and overnight. Who knew that cleaning up could be therapeutic? Now if I could just get North to pick up his toys . . .

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The Scoop: Octopus Beak Inspires Medical Community

PetSugar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:00:54 PDT

If you can believe it, there just might be a connection between an Octopus's beak and better artificial limbs for humans! I've noticed an upswing in sea life inspiring new inventions recently, and this one is no exception. If you think of how seemingly uncomfortable artificial limbs are now – hard all the way through causing abrasions on amputated limbs – then the octopus may be able to help with a solution to the problem.

The trick to an octopus munching on huge, bone-filled fishies is the tough-as-nails beak. But how the heck can it have a beak with no bones, and keep from hurting itself? That's the question that researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara think they have figured out: The octopus beak gradates from super hard to squishy soft as it meets other tissue. So, if you think of an X-acto knife sticking out of a bowl of Jello, only the knife gets softer the closer it gets to the bottom of the bowl, then you'll sort of get the idea. If artificial limbs had softer consistencies where they connected to limbs and were bone tough at the tips to withstand damage then it would help make amputees' lives more comfortable. Who knew that sea creatures could be so helpful to us land dwellers!?

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Would You Eat This Live Octopus?

partysugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:28:19 PDT

The other day I came across a very disturbing video. In the video, one of my favorite America's Next Top Model contestants - Elyse Sewell from Cycle 1 - eats live octopus tentacles. She slurps the squirming tentacles down as if they were nothing and she does it while sexily eyeing the camera. Tyra would be so proud, Elyse looks like a model while eating live seafood!

I thought I could eat anything but watching the octopus move as she swallowed it made me feel kind of sick. Still, I pride myself on being adventurous and would try my hardest to stomach this octopus. How about you? Would you eat live octopus?

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Weird Furniture: Octopus Chair

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:30:41 PST

The Octopus Chair (price unlisted), fashioned from pairs of recycled jeans and polystyrene balls, is a multi-shape beanbag and a cross "between a chair and a lounge sculpture," allowing you "to adapt your seating to your interior." In some cases of weird furniture, I am willing to suspend my inclination towards normalcy in favor of something that is "weird" yet still cool and "artsy." But dear Mr. Octopus, I do not like you, find you cool or artsy, or care that you can transform into multi-shapes. You simply aren't good-looking enough to pass my test with swimming colors or to ever sea my living room. I hope this news doesn't break your third heart.

Would You Rather Eat Clams Or Octopus?

partysugar — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 08:13:31 PDT