Nine-year-old Cal Clifford always wanted an octopus as a pet.
Ever since he was a toddler, 9-year-old Cal Clifford wanted more than anything to have a pet octopus.
The boy's family in rural Edmond, Oklahoma, entertained him with a toy version of the eight-legged mollusk, but as Cal grew older, it became clear that the real thing was enough.
The child's father, 36-year-old dentist Cameron Clifford, researched local aquarium stores and their possibilities, and it soon became clear that Terrence, a California two-spot octopus also known as Bymac, had been spotted at his parents' home in the Southwest. They lived in enclosures with lots of water. Oklahoma City.
“We want to promote the interests of the children,” said the elder Clifford. “Watching kids have dreams and make them come true is magical. Cal was fascinated with the natural world and marine biology from an early age.”
The popular TikTok story began with a father narrating the story of Terence the Cephalopod using a fake British accent generated by the social media app. Eventually it was followed by hundreds of thousands of people.
Within weeks, the story took a surprising turn when it was discovered that Terence was actually a female, having laid about 50 eggs that the family initially thought were infertile. A few weeks later, small, nearly transparent baby octopuses began hatching, and were given names such as Rocket Larry, Squid Cady, Swim Shady, Jaycee, and Sea Yonce.
Cal started crying at the family dinner table the first time his father told him that the local aquarium store told him the octopus was available for adoption.
Together, father and son researched what was needed and decided on a saltwater tank and water circulation system to ensure food was available for this soft-bodied sea creature.
The family's second son, Lyle, and his mother, Kari, also got involved in the project in their own ways. A family friend who is a reptile scientist provided support and advice.
Female octopuses usually die soon after spawning, but Terence is still alive after four months, Clifford said.
Clifford said the family gained a lot from the experience.
“Aside from the physical, financial, and mental requirements it takes to raise a species like bimack, you learn a lot about yourself in the process,” said Arizona-born Clifford. he told his TikTok followers in a thick accent. “There are always going to be valves and seals that don't close completely, and storm-resistant carpets aren't rated to withstand gallons of saltwater. You'll find that saltwater and electricity don't always mix well.”
“You'll learn new things, meet amazing people, and appreciate the wonders of wildlife. But most of all, you'll learn to love not-so-small octopuses like Terence,” he added. Ta.
