A sneaky octopus made a daring escape at the New Zealand National Aquarium after he successfully broke out of his enclosure and made his way back to the ocean.
Inky, one of two octopuses at the aquarium, seized an opportunity when maintenance workers left the lid slightly open. After managing to squeeze his way out, he slid across the floor and found a drain pipe that led to the ocean, New Zealand website Stuff reports.
Although the pipe Inky used to find his way to the sea was only 6in wide, Rob Yarrall from the National Aquarium explained to Radio NZ that octopuses can stretch themselves to fit through tiny spaces.
Not Inky – but here’s an example of just how tight of a space an octopus can escape through:
Yarrall said staff found evidence of his trail the next day and checked the pipes which Inky had climbed down – but he was already gone.
He told The Guardian:
Octopuses are famous escape artists.
But Inky really tested the waters here. I don’t think he was unhappy with us, or lonely, as octopus are solitary creatures. But he is such a curious boy. He would want to know what’s happening on the outside. That’s just his personality.
He added: “Once back out to sea, he would have headed off towards the reef and that would be his life. He would be quite happy out there. We wouldn’t go try and track him down.”
According to the BBC, the breakout occurred earlier this year but was kept quiet until news broke on Tuesday.
