Zoo Octopus Learns To Open Shrimp Jar By Watching
MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - A common octopus in a German zoo has learned to open jars of shrimp by watching zoo attendants perform the act underwater. Frida, a 5-month-old female octopus, opens the jars by pressing her body on the lid and grasping the sides with the suckers on her eight tentacles. With a succession of body twists she unscrews the lid. "Depending on how tight the lid is, it takes her anything from 10 seconds to an hour to get it off," said Frank Mueller, head of the aquarium at the Hellabrunn Zoo.
In related news, Aquarium Director Frank Mueller was found strangled to death this morning. His body was discovered floating in the tank of beloved Hellabrunn Zoo octopus, Frida by Marine Biologist Bergt Schaeffer. Foul play is not suspected. Here is an excerpt from Mr. Schaeffer's statement to the media:
"Poor Frank. I told him not to tease Frida. He never listened but just frustrated her day after day, over and over. Now I guess he'll win a Darwin Award."
Jon GSV Not-So-Subtle Humor
Wait a second, I hear years ago that someone observed wild octopi opening jars without any 'watching' of how to do it. They put something in the jar that was visible, and they opened it right up. Not breaking the jar and it as more than just a one turn lid.
Kevin T. - VRWC
I remember thinking, 'Wow, that must be forever for whatever animal is inside the jar.'
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