1 month ago
A 9-year-old Oklahoma boy's unorthodox choice of pet has gone viral connected TikTok arsenic he's adopted an octopus that he named Terrance.
Cal Clifford's parents said their boy wanted an octopus arsenic a pet much than thing successful nan world, starting erstwhile he was conscionable a toddler, according to The Associated Press.
While they attempted to fulfill his little-boy dreams pinch artifact octopuses, young Cal Clifford continued to request for nan existent thing.
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In October 2023, nan boy's father, Cameron Clifford, a dentist successful Edmond, Oklahoma, decided to make his son's dreams travel true.
After doing investigation astatine an aquarium store, he purchased a California two-spot octopus, which is besides called a "bimac." The family named "him" (or truthful they thought) Terrance.
This undated photograph shows Terrance, nan pet octopus that young Cal Clifford adopted astatine his location successful Edmond, Oklahoma. Terrance now has much than 400,000 followers connected TikTok. (Cameron Clifford via AP)
It was "magical" to spot his boy clasp his pet, Cameron Clifford told nan AP, adding that his boy "has been infatuated pinch nan earthy world and marine biology since he was very little."
Cameron Clifford began documenting nan adventures of Terrance nan octopus connected TikTok, posting nether nan relationship "doctoktopus."
As of Tuesday, April 16, nan relationship had much than 425,000 followers.
A video posted successful early March shows Cal Clifford bursting into tears erstwhile he learned that his parents had bought a vessel and filters required for a pet octopus.
Like different octopus species, nan California two-spot octopus tin alteration its color, but is people a mottled brown.
Shortly aft adopting Terrance, nan Clifford family learned that their pet was really a female.
Terrance laid 50 eggs, and those eggs hatched respective weeks later — moreover though nan family thought they were unfertilized.
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The pet's sanction was not changed.
After nan eggs hatched, nan Cliffords were abruptly nan "parents" of respective twelve California two-spot octopus babies – which they named Rocket Larry, Squid Cudi, Swim Shady, Jay-Sea and Sea-Yoncé, among others, nan AP noted.
The family hopes to move nan babe octopuses to aquariums and investigation facilities, and person appealed connected TikTok for assistance successful contacting accommodation arsenic good arsenic naming nan babies.
This undated photograph taken by Cameron Clifford of his TikTok posting, shows a babe octopus hatched from Terrance, nan family's pet octopus. Initially, Terrance was thought to beryllium a boy – until "he" laid eggs. (Cameron Clifford via AP)
"Aside from nan physical, financial and affectional requirements of owning a type specified arsenic a bimac, you will study a batch astir yourself successful nan process," Cameron Clifford told TikTok followers.
Since nan take of Terrance, plentifulness of things person gone wrong.
"There's ever immoderate valve aliases seal that's not wholly closed, and your storm-resistant carpet isn't rated for gallons and gallons of seawater. You'll study that seawater and energy don't ever get along," said Cameron Clifford.
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"You will study caller things and meet unthinkable group and will study that wildlife is magnificent," he added.
"But astir of all, you'll study to emotion a not-so-tiny octopus for illustration Terrance."
As a California two-spot octopus, Terrance has a lifespan of astir 1 year, and up to 2 successful captivity.
Octopuses typically dice aft they laic their eggs, but Terrance has survived for 4 months, Cameron Clifford told nan AP.
The Clifford family. Cal Clifford, property 9, 2nd from left, has ever had an liking successful marine biology, said his father, Cameron Clifford, acold left. On TikTok, nan dada now documents nan adventures of Terrance nan octopus. (Cameron Clifford via AP)
On TikTok, nan Cliffords said they person not ruled retired keeping 1 of Terrance's babies arsenic a pet.
The family is presently moving connected an upgraded vessel that is 30 gallons bigger than their existent 60-gallon tank.
California two-spot octopuses are recovered successful nan Pacific Ocean from bluish California to Baja California, Mexico, said nan website for nan California Sea Grant astatine UC San Diego.
They turn to beryllium astir 18 inches long, "a smaller type compared to … counterparts," said nan website.
Like different octopus species, nan California two-spot octopus tin alteration its color, but is people a mottled brown.
Unlike different octopuses, nan California two-spot octopus has "two agleam bluish spots connected either broadside of its assemblage that lucifer eyes," said nan California Sea Grant.
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These spots are thought to beryllium a measurement that nan octopus wards disconnected predators.
A pet octopus "is 1 of nan astir fascinating and rewarding marine creatures you tin support successful nan location aquarium," said Nancy King of Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine.
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However, they require costly nutrient and person "tragically short" lifespans, she said.
Fox News Digital reached retired to nan Clifford family for further remark and updates.
For much Lifestyle articles, sojourn www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Christine Rousselle is simply a manner newsman pinch Fox News Digital.
