Can you own a pet octopus?
However, even if you provide the best possible care for an octopus, Katherine Harmon Courage says they don’t make good pets. The Most Mysterious Creature In the Sea,” points out that because octopuses are difficult to breed in captivity, most pets octopuses are caught in the wild — and they’re better off there.
How much is an octopus pet?
Prices range from $20 to $1,000—with the bulk of pet octopuses priced between $30 and $100 as of January 2013. A 70-gallon tank—which is not an unusual choice for octopus enthusiasts wanting to provide their pet with plenty of room to roam—costs about $300.
Can you buy a live octopus?
Octopuses are available from a number of sources. Local fish stores sometimes carry octopuses, or can at least order them. Occasionally, owners raise hatchlings and sell them publicly, which makes them the best source for tank-raised specimens.
Is it cruel to keep an octopus?
Octopuses, in general, are not a great choice for a pet. For one, they are incredibly intelligent and seem to easily get bored. One study [pdf] revealed that octopuses in small tanks outfitted with flowerpots, stones, beads and shells still showed signs of distress and even self-mutilation.
How long do octopuses live in captivity?
roughly 1 to 5 years
It varies according to species, but octopuses, both wild and captive, live roughly 1 to 5 years. This short lifespan is a consequence of a reproductive strategy known as semelparity, meaning that octopuses breed only once in their lifetime and die shortly thereafter.
What happens if an octopus touches you?
In most octopuses, this venom contains neurotoxins that cause paralysis. Octopus bites can cause bleeding and swelling in people, but only the venom of the blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) is known to be deadly to humans.
How long does a pet octopus live?
It varies according to species, but octopuses, both wild and captive, live roughly 1 to 5 years. This short lifespan is a consequence of a reproductive strategy known as semelparity, meaning that octopuses breed only once in their lifetime and die shortly thereafter.