Why is This Octopus Fed in a Basket?

Uno the octopus is a big hit at the @GeorgiaAquarium, the popular Atlanta destination that shared this video of his feeding time. Uno is familiar with his handlers and seems to enjoy the attention. This intelligent octopus has gained many fans online and in person, quickly becoming an aquarium star. Uno is a giant Pacific octopus, and visitors to his exhibit can sometimes see this feeding in person. In this video, his suckers are the main attraction, but those sneaky tentacles do more than cling to their caretaker.

Uno’s Tentacles Double As Forks

Giant Pacific octopuses use their tentacles to bring food to their beaks, which are located in the center of their tentacles. After bringing food to its beak, an octopus immobilizes its prey with a special venom. This venom has special enzymes that break down protein, making it easier for the octopus to digest. Once the food is fully broken down, an octopus scoops food into its mouth using its tongue-like radula. In this video, we see Uno doing something similar after his handler puts food on his tentacles.

Octopuses have extremely sensitive suckers. They use them to taste, feel, and gather information about their surroundings. The nerve cells in their suckers allow them to taste food or nearby objects. Uno clearly knows the difference between his handler and a fish, which is how he can discern what is food and what isn’t. In the wild, an octopus can hunt for small prey in rock crevices using its sense of touch and taste.

Why Feeding Happens in a Basket

By feeding Uno in a basket, the octopus becomes familiar with it. Since the aquarium weighs him using this same method, his handlers use food as positive reinforcement. Therefore, he won’t hesitate to climb in when Uno associates food with the basket. Because of this, handlers have an easier time later when it comes time to use the basket again without resistance from the octopus. Uno is fed crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish in the aquarium, as seen in this video. Feeding him in a basket makes this easier, as fish can be placed straight on his tentacles.

In this video, Uno’s handler also uses a black cup to get his attention. He’s been trained to associate this black cup with feeding time, which is another positive association. Octopuses are an incredibly intelligent species, which is why they pick up on commands so easily. Giant Pacific octopuses like Uno have also learned to do unbelievable things, such as unscrewing glass jars and solving mazes.