Five-Year-Old Adam Anglin Learns First-Hand from Octopus Experts at OdySea Aquarium
SCOTTSDALE/SALT RIVER-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY, AZ (August 13, 2023)— Five-year-old Adam Anglin from El Paso, Texas had a dream fulfilled when he visited OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, AZ, on Tuesday to learn more about the aquarium’s Giant Pacific Octopus (GPO). A huge fan of the species, Adam’s mom, Alex, sent the aquarium a short video of Adam expressing his excitement to learn about OdySea’s GPO, which the young Texan affectionately dubbed, “a clever guy.”
Moved by Adam’s enthusiasm and always eager to inspire the next generation of marine life enthusiasts, OdySea Aquarium’s expert aquarists arranged a special visit for Adam and his family. They gave Adam the unique opportunity to become a junior aquarist of sorts, assisting with the training, feeding, and enrichment of their young octopus.
First task: Adam had the chance to choose from various enrichment toys loved by the octopus. He and his three-year-old sister, Lauren, then stuffed the toys with tasty clams, which the aquarium team placed in the GPO’s exhibit. The entire family watched in awe as the octopus eagerly used all eight arms to explore the purple tube, red ball, and orange toy, quickly locating the hidden treats.
The OdySea Aquarium cold-water team spent quality time sharing fascinating facts about the species with Adam—though the young marine enthusiast was already well-versed in the animal’s nine brains and three hearts! One surprising fact for Adam was that OdySea’s octopus eats only once a day, unlike little boys who enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Located in Scottsdale, AZ, OdySea Aquarium is an eight-year-old, state-of-the-art, multi-level facility that is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) featuring over two million gallons of water, 6,000 animals, 300 species, and more than 70 exhibits. It is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and ranks among the top ten in the country. OdySea’s current GPO, lovingly referred to as “little buddy” by the staff—or, as Adam might say, “a clever guy” (or perhaps “gal”)—remains nameless as it is still too young and small to determine its gender. (A fitting name is forthcoming!)
According to mom, the family, which includes dad Neal, and siblings Lauren (3), Jake (20 months), and Ben (6 months) (who were all at OdySea with Adam), shares Adam’s love for marine animals, though Adam is the one that is partial to the octopus. After researching places to help foster Adam’s passion for the eight-legged aquatic creature, she planned a trip to Scottsdale where the OdySea Aquarium team enthusiastically brought Adam’s dream to life.
