Stolen from Pharyngula.
Tremoctopus is obviously ready to step up and take the place of the now sadly-fallen Captain America. Now for a name…Doc Oc is taken. The Masked Mollusc? Too bad it’s not a Squid: Captain Calamari has a nice ring to it.
Thank you, I’ll be here all week. Have the veal…
This type of Tremoctopus, or blanket octopus, has a unique way of escaping from predators. When threatened, the octopus unfurls a giant sheet of webbing that trails behind like a cape. The webbing breaks apart rather easily when attacked — much like a lizard’s tail — and it gets wrapped around the predator’s face, giving the octopus a chance to flee.
You should see the migrating blanket Tree Octopodia in the Springtime. In years gone by the sky would be darkened with the herds moving North for the summer, gliding silently over the Cascadian rainforest as the grizzlies and pumas cowered below. A more majestic sight the world has never witnessed but, like the carrier pigeon, a precious jewel only too easily lost.
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raincoaster 
Alas, the soft material of the Tree Blanket Octopus was in high demand for baby coverings–hence the name “baby blanket”.
It has been a number of years since a Tree Blanket Octopus was seen in the wild, and they have never been sucessfully bred in captivity.
I propose to mount an expedition to rediscover the lost Tree Blanket Octopus. Contributions of cash will naturally be greatly appreciated. However, as we will be venturing into the savage realms of North Vancouver, and perhaps even as far as Whistler, we will also need trinkets to bribe local natives with.
Liquor, of course, is the old standby. However glass beads have become devalued. Instead DVDs and players, iPods and iPhones, lawn chairs and coolers have gained importance. Small land grants, while not neccesarily conveinient to take on an expedition of this nature, could prove a useful bargaining chip, or serve as alternate habitat for any captured specimens. Ski lift tickets will help in transporting the equipment and personnel to the highest peaks, there to watch for our quarry.
In terms of the possible Blanket Tree Octo-preserve, it would naturally be best if the land bordered the ocean, to accomodate the breeding cycle of the animals. It should also have a private entrance acessed by speedboat or submarine, and structure for staff housing consisting of a home of no more than 20 rooms with at least four bathrooms, two kitchens, jacuzzi, wet bar, sauna, and indoor pool (for the accomodation of sick octopi).
If you have a small quantity of land on the shore in North Vancouver, or domicile fitting the above description (if neccesary we will accept three bathrooms) and want to inquire about your taxable donation, or if you simply wish to donate toward the expedition to assist and save this noble animal, write me immediately.
you seem to have developed a tentacle fixation these days.
That is one oddly elegant creature, great video.
By the way I got me a save the tree octopus ribbon, I can’t wait to put it on my blog. That was the most entertaining half hour I spent all day.
Thanks!
“These days”???
We at the ol’ raincoaster blog are always operating under a heavy dose of tentacle fixation (17.5 feet!) but we cannot say that anything’s changed recently.
We did, however, go All-Squid when we started getting too many “this is boring” comments. A lesson to those who would complain in future: there is only so much calamari a man can stand.
Hazel, wait till I get off my ass and cover the Mountain Walrus!
I cant wait!
Also: finally we have a post that knocked “Beaver Shots” out of the top spot on the ol’ raincoaster blog. Congratulations to SuperOctopus.
{{{{*}}}} YAY!
At last I can hold up my head amongst real bloggers! (for the next five minutes at least)