happy valentines day

Seattle aquarium cancels octopus sex show because of cannibalism fears?

@TheHorse (218924)

Walnut Creek, California

February 15, 2016 11:40am CST

A friend of mine just sent this one, and I must admit I had no clue. Apparently, the Seattle WA aquarium has a bit of a sense of humor, and it's been a tradition there to have an octopus sex show on Valentines Day. Well, a male and female octopus are put in the same tank and allowed to do whatever comes naturally. But this year, the show was cancelled, as the aquarium staff feared that the 80 lb male would eat the 40 lb female after copulation. Pity. I also learned that in octopi, females are generally larger than males, and the larger females often eat the male after copulation. I had known this is the case in black widows and praying mantises (especially in captivity--I reckon they're a tad stressed), but I hadn't realized this was the case in octopi. Would you go see an octopus sex show? Did you know that the females often eat the males after copulation? This whole thing kind of reminds me of a certain ex-girlfriend, but I won't go there right now.

27 people like this

20 responses

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

15 Feb 16

This is completely new to me and I am glad that you gave me this advice in time. I have just telephoned the local brothel and cancelled by appointment with the octopus for tomorrow afternoon.

7 people like this

show previous comments

@Asylum (47893)

• Manchester, England

15 Feb 16

@TheHorse I am not that confident that I could even cope with a small one, so I may just make do with the jellyfish again.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Feb 16

@Asylum Oh my. I think we need to talk.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Feb 16

I'd say this is a wise move. Or you could cancel the "big booty" octopus and go with a smaller one. Then you could have the sushi chef prepare her for a "second go."

3 people like this

Show more comments

@boiboing (13153)

• Northampton, England

15 Feb 16

Better the female eats the male than the other way round or the species would die out.

5 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

Good point. I gather that with some species it happens mostly in adverse conditions.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (471433)

• Switzerland

16 Feb 16

Oh my goodness, I would be horrified to see this kind of show. Poor octopus!

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

Well, at least they'd prefer not to have them eat each other.

2 people like this

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

16 Feb 16

Like you, I've heard of the spiders doing it, but didn't know about the octupi. My horizon has been broadened!

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

Mine too! I wonder what other animals eat each other after mating.

2 people like this

@Sheilamarie78 (2586)

• Canada

15 Feb 16

I don't think I'd want to witness that, especially the cannibalism part.

4 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Feb 16

It might make me appreciate my own sweetheart more, though.

2 people like this

@paigea (36317)

• Canada

16 Feb 16

Interesting to read about, but I don't need to watch

4 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

Exactly. I am glad the Seattle Aquarium folks seem to have a sense of humor.

3 people like this

@kamel622 (310)

• United States

16 Feb 16

I had no idea...I thought it was just the black widow too. Nope, don't think I would go to see it though.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

I don't think I would either. Dolphins, maybe.

2 people like this

@amadeo (111938)

• United States

15 Feb 16

I have no interest ini this.A bit too much.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

15 Feb 16

I just found it amusing. And kind of interesting as well.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Tampa_girl7 (50262)

• United States

16 Feb 16

I had no idea. I wouldn't care to see this.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

I doubt I'd be able to tell if they're mating. I see tentacles all over the place in my mind's eye.

1 person likes this

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

16 Feb 16

this would not be my choice of events to ever go see. O.O

2 people like this

show previous comments

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

19 Feb 16

@TheHorse lol, what horrible options.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

19 Feb 16

@Jessicalynnt Wait! I put baseball game in there! Spring training has started!

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

18 Feb 16

I think I'd prefer a baseball game or public hanging or something.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@DianneN (247186)

• United States

15 Feb 16

No thanks, for either.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@DianneN (247186)

• United States

16 Feb 16

@TheHorse Lol!!!!!!

2 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317089)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

16 Feb 16

I learn something new every day.

3 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

You and me both!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340216)

• Rockingham, Australia

16 Feb 16

I knew about the spiders but didn't know octopi did this too. Kinky!

2 people like this

@fishtiger58 (29820)

• Momence, Illinois

16 Feb 16

I had no idea, and I'm pretty sure I would pass on that little show.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

Maybe if I was already there...

1 person likes this

@vivasuzi (4127)

• United States

15 Feb 16

LOL I never heard of that kind of show and I probably wouldn't venture out to see it either :-D I knew other animals eat their mates but didn't know that about octopi... you learn something new every day!

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

Some day I'll talk about my ex-...but I don't want to re-traumatize myself right now.

@freak369 (5113)

• United States

8 Jun 17

I have seen octopi open jars to get a treat out of it, squeeze through the smallest holes to escape a boat deck and sneak out of a tank at the zoo. Never saw them mate though.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

8 Jun 17

Crafty critters, I reckon. If I die without seeing them mate, I can probably still live a full life.

@infatuatedbby (94914)

• United States

18 Feb 16

Lol at the ex-girlfriend situation. I never knew such event took place. Learning everyday.

@jstory07 (139742)

• Roseburg, Oregon

16 Feb 16

I do not want to see that show. You should do a evil deed on your x-girlfriend

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

18 Feb 16

Eh, she has enough difficult stuff going on in her life. I don't even want to tell her that she ruined my early "love life."

@garymarsh6 (23404)

• United Kingdom

16 Feb 16

I think one should pick ones partners with great care! I was aware of this but would not go to watch it at a zoo.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

16 Feb 16

I've tried to pick my partners with great care. But I've made some poor choices anyway. None ate me, though.

2 people like this

@dhoyreg23 (39)

• Philippines

17 Feb 16

Very interesting! Good to know and more food to my imagination. thanks!

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (218924)

• Walnut Creek, California

18 Feb 16

I think it's kind of sexist that it's accepted when females eat males, but when a big male might eat a female, everyone gets their panties in a bunch. Hmmph.

1 person likes this