Each toy was presented 9 times, once in the morning and twice in the afternoon at least two hours apart and the times of handling were observed. The three toys chosen were a pair of blue colored pliers (Pliers), a ball of interlocked rings (Ball), and a cow-shaped object with three moveable rings suspended from the bottom (Cow) (see Photo 1), all made of plastic.Įach toy was presented to two giant Pacific octopuses ( Enteroctopus dofleini (Wülker, 1912), a male and a female, the species most displayed in public aquariums (Carlson and Delbeek, 1998) held off-exhibit at the Seattle Aquarium in fiberglass tanks 1.3 X 1.3 m with water 1 m deep. Several types of child toys were purchased based on three criteria: exploration potential, maneuverability, and linkages to reactions (levers). Finding a good octopus toy would allow better enrichment for captive animals and hence better health (Shepherdson, 1998). The purpose of this study was to find what makes a good octopus toy based on octopus handling times. But it remains unknown what types of toys give the best exploration/play experience.
Thirdly, some of the toys had parts with direct connections to other moveable parts via levers, gears, or linkages (Anderson, 2003). Secondly they contain parts moveable by the octopus's arms and suckers (Anderson, 2003). First, they allow exploration of the toy, which is a preliminary to play behavior (Mather and Anderson, 1999). The toys appear to have several aspects in common. Mark Rehling at the Cleveland Zoo has kept a notebook of enrichment items used on octopuses (including toys) as reported by public aquariums keeping octopuses. Since octopuses have demonstrated play behavior (Mather and Anderson, 1999), allowing them access to "toys" has been one aspect of their enrichment (Anderson, 2003). (2000) have shown that enrichment benefits the learning and memory in cuttlefish ( Sepia sp.). Rehling (2000) noticed increased activity in octopuses with enrichment but Anderson and Wood (2000) point out that increased activity could be a sign of disturbance or perseveration (Shepherson, 1998). Although aspects of octopus enrichment have been documented (Wood and Wood, 1999 Rehling, 2000 Anderson and Wood, 2000), it remains unknown how beneficial octopus enrichment is to the animals since there is yet no way of measuring it (Anderson and Wood, 2000). They are the most intelligent invertebrate, being able to learn to negotiate simple mazes, open jars, engage in play behavior and exhibit individual personalities (Mather and Anderson, 2000). Octopuses would seem to be good candidates for environmental enrichment. The three toys presented individually to two octopuses. Anderson, The Seattle Aquarium and Andrea Leontiou, Byram Hills High Schoolįigure 1.
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You can get your own Theo’s Octpous this holiday season at Pet Supplies Plus and on their website.Evaluating Toys for Octopuses ( Enteroctopus dofleini, Cephalopoda) << Cephalopod Articles | By Roland C. MORE NEWS: 'This Place Is Nasty': Center For COVID Control Temporarily Shuts Down After Numerous Complaints Now his toy is showing up with dogs from all over: Florida, Canada, and Arizona. Last year, CBS 2’s story on Theo went viral. Theo’s foster mom, Jenny, could not be happier. Now Pet Supplies Plus has brought back his favorite toy, renaming it “Theo’s Octopus.” READ MORE: CPS Student Group Organizing Walkout To Protest Return To In-Person Classes Claim Their COVID Safety Concerns Have Been Ignored READ MORE: Inspector General's Report On Botched Anjanette Young Raid Finds City's Response Was 'Exceedingly Harmful To Young' They gave him ice cream, set up dates and gave hims lots of toys. His rescuers did something unusual: They made him a bucket list while he was alive. CHICAGO (CBS) - Found abandoned in a shelter parking lot, Theo the dog captured hearts before he died last year from cancer.