Mark Keppler/AP Sea Life Aquarium's psychic octopus, Paul, chose Spain to win the semifinals over Germany. Paul's keeper says, "he's wrong this time."

If you’ve been following the World Cup, you know about Paul. He’s the 2 1/2-year-old octopus who lives at Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany.

And he’s psychic.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

We are the Nation’s Zoo, demonstrating leadership in animal care, science, education, and sustainability. We provide the highest quality animal care. We advance research and scientific knowledge in conserving wildlife. We teach and inspire people to protect wildlife, natural resources, and habitats. We practice conservation leadership in all we do.

Take a Virtual Visit to the Zoo

The National Zoo is home to 2,000 individual animals of nearly 400 different species. Our best known residents are our giant pandas, but great apes, big cats, Asian elephants, birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects, aquatic animals, small mammals, and many others can be found at the Zoo.

By Susan Cosier, LiveScience Contributor
posted: 22 March 2010 08:08 am ET
http://www.livescience.com/animals/octopus-watch-tv-100322.html

Octopuses rely on visual cues to identify predators, prey and other marine creatures. Yet it has been difficult for researchers to study the animals’ reactions to their natural environments, because the scientists can’t control what might swim or crawl by an octopus — that is, until the advent of HDTV.

The octopus who loves his Mr Potato Head

Friday, January 11, 2008

Louis cuddles his Mr Potato Head

Louis the octopus clearly thinks two heads are better than one when it comes to toys.

The 1.8m-wide (6ft) creature is so attached to Mr Potato Head that he turns aggressive when aquarium staff try to remove it from his tank.

The giant Pacific octopus was given the toy for Christmas and has even learned to dig out food hidden in a secret box at the back of it.

Last Updated: 12:22PM GMT 03 Nov 2008 

I got this story e-mailed to me a year or so ago.  I laughed so hard my co-workers came over to my desk to check to make sure I was ok.  I laughed myself breathless.  And now, every time I need a giggle I read this story.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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This is another one of those that I got in an e-mail. I don’t know the origin, but would love to give the correct credit.

I got this e-mail a long time ago.  Since we’ve had our own Possum Adventures, it makes me laugh … a lot.  I can just see this happening.  And I laugh some more.  I have no idea who wrote it – I’d love to give them credit or, delete the post and link to the correct authors website.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Nocturnal eco-locating flying mammal man.
-Adam Savage, Mythbusters, Superhero Hour

Chapter 36 – Bats, Cats, Possums and Skunks

The fun part about living on the edge of rural, just beyond suburban, is the variety of wildlife we have here that comes by the house.  We have bats, cats, vultures, deer, skunks, foxes and possums.  Just to name the ones I can think of off the top of my head.