It’s exam time for the newest arrival at the Blue Planet Aquarium at Cheshire Oaks.
Aquarists at the popular attraction are devising a series of brain-teasing challenges to test the intelligence of their new giant octopus.
The aquarium explains that Giant Pacific octopus are the world’s largest species of octopus and are found from Japan to Southern California. The biggest recorded specimen had an arm span in excess of nine metres (33ft) and weighed 270kgs (600lbs).
The female octopus is being provided with a selection of toys and puzzles and is already impressing aquarists with her mental capacity. They now plan to see whether she can work out how to unscrew the lid of clear plastic jars to get at the food inside.
“We’re busy devising a whole selection of different puzzles and tests for her which will not only show how smart she really is but will also provide her with an ever-changing set of activities to keep her mentally stimulated,” said aquarist Samantha Worthington.
In spite of her awesome dimensions, she is already forming a close relationship with her keepers.
“Although she is incredibly strong and each tentacle is covered with suckers the size of 50p pieces, she’s actually surprisingly gentle.
“She loves to interact with us and is extremely curious. Whenever we open up her display she will come over to investigate and seems to genuinely enjoy physical contact with us although it is sometimes tricky to peel her giant suckers off your arm!”
Testing times
Despite the fact they belong to the same family as slugs and snails, octopus can perform highly complex tasks. As well as unscrewing jars, they can open boxes, distinguish between different shapes and complete mazes. Individuals living in aquariums have even been filmed sneaking out at night to raid nearby fish-filled displays.
The aquarium does not yet know if she will be able to predict match scores for Ellesmere Port Town Ladies whose shirts this season are sponsored by Blue Planet.
Related: Football star Wayne Rooney enjoys visit to aquarium with young sons
According to Israeli scientists some of the octopus’s intelligence is actually contained within its tentacles.
Giant Pacific octopus also mature incredibly quickly going from the size of a rice grain at birth to being fully grown within the space of two years.
Have you been to see the new octopus? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below
