They're real! They're really real!

March 31, 2003 8:16 PM

Save the Pacific Tree Octopus!There have been many debates about loss of habitat for localized species, but a little known fight is underway to help save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus. "An intelligent and inquisitive being...the tree octopus explores its arboreal world by both touch and sight." Won't you help?!
posted by Salmonberry (19 comments total)

Wow, see I did not know this, thanks salmonberry. How quaint? I did not know that they could survive out of the water. Funny how you learn things all the time. I think I'll send $25 to help. Excellent link!
posted by riffola at 8:18 PM on March 31, 2003

Wow, I have heard about these! I donated some money to the cause last year and it is nice to know that they are still surviving. Come on folks, dig deep!
posted by dg at 8:19 PM on March 31, 2003

Just don't let it go the way of the Atlantic bush octopus, quite frequent on the Portuguese coast when I was a boy - but not sadly extinct. I hate to say we used to catch them and grill them, with seaweed, bell peppers and roast potatoes... Aaargh!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 8:25 PM on March 31, 2003

Okay smartasses, you had me right up to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Pumpkins link (GeoCities link, too, so please be kind).

Very good stuff.
posted by yhbc at 8:29 PM on March 31, 2003

Must... have... cephalopodic accoutrements on my fashionista-approved millinery...die, octopus, die!
posted by iconomy at 8:29 PM on March 31, 2003

Here's the googlecache, and this is a mirror of the site. Hope that helps.
posted by Salmonberry at 8:31 PM on March 31, 2003

Sadly, their introduction into New Zealand was stymied by predation from the native ground weta.

(Actual weta picture here if you scroll down.)
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 8:36 PM on March 31, 2003

Seattle has the right attitude: they have four adult tree octopii but nobody is allowed within two miles of the sanctuary. It's all the petting and photographing that hurts them - specially when they've been on land for more than 4 hours. The flash kills them. [The photograph of the octopus on the museum stand being an obvious exception. ;) ]
posted by MiguelCardoso at 8:39 PM on March 31, 2003

funny how these creatures come out around the first day of the fourth month.
posted by azul at 8:40 PM on March 31, 2003

Oops, right link for photograph here.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 8:41 PM on March 31, 2003

Good you raised this important issue, Salmonberry - thanks! It's warms the cockles of my heart to see that with all this iraq iraq iraq talk, someone is still remembering those helpless creatures who have no voice. Well, not one audible to humans anyway.

There are just so many undereported environmental issues on the west coast - it's hard to decide which to make donations to!
posted by madamjujujive at 8:47 PM on March 31, 2003

apparently their numbers are on the decline from "decimation of habitat by logging and suburban encroachment; building of roads that cut off access to the water which it needs for spawning; predation by foreign species such as house cats; and booming populations of its natural predators, including the bald eagle and sasquatch."

I never knew.....
posted by blade at 8:50 PM on March 31, 2003

There was a recent episode of This American Life about this stunning creature and it's bizarre mating rituals.
posted by eyeballkid at 8:51 PM on March 31, 2003

its
posted by eyeballkid at 8:51 PM on March 31, 2003

Hey blade, sasquatch like sushi too. Ain't nothin' like a tree octopus sashimi roll with some fresh wasabi.

Mental note: Must develop bizarre mating rituals of my own so I, too, can be on This American Life. And must try to taste absolutely lousy with fresh wasabi.
posted by arto at 9:10 PM on March 31, 2003

As an April Fools link, Sb was about 4 hours too early.
posted by mischief at 9:45 PM on March 31, 2003

Depending on your timezone, mischief. Contrary to the opinion of many, the whole world does not live in the US and, for some, April Fool's day is now drawing to a close.
posted by dg at 10:49 PM on March 31, 2003

These are very neat creatures, I wish we had them in California. The most interesting thing we have around here are the Rocky Mountain Tree Leeches; not as interesting, by a long shot.
posted by brool at 12:23 AM on April 1, 2003

Don't forget about the Prairie Squid.
posted by Jimbob at 4:03 AM on April 1, 2003