Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon Coast

4. Giant Pacific Octopus

An octopus began greeting the public at the Visitor Center shortly after the building opened as the Public Wing in 1965. It hasn't been the same octopus, of course. There have been many greeters, each with its own personality and level of enthusiasm for the job - and each with its own name, chosen by our visitors.

The giant Pacific octopus is a common resident off Oregon's coast. It is a predator that can chase prey by "running" or jetting after it and capturing it with its arms. Then the octopus uses its parrot-like beak, located at the center of its soft body, to deliver a venom that paralyses and liquefies the meat of animals. An octopus can spend several hours feeding on one crab and will usually remain dormant until finished.

It is known as the most intelligent invertebrate and without a doubt exhibits signs of both curiosity and memory. They have been observed climbing out of one tank to grab nearby food in another. An octopus can unscrew jars, uncork champagne bottles, and mimic the behavior of a neighboring octopus.