‘Curious' octopus takes diver's camera and films ‘one-of-a-kind view' in Canada
John Roney and Chris Mullen, underwater videographers and longtime dive buddies, decided to go scuba diving off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island on Aug. 5, Roney told McClatchy News via email on Aug. 12.
Early on, they 'spotted this giant pacific octopus, about three metres (about 10 feet) arm to arm, resting under a ledge,' Roney said. 'At first it kept to itself, but as we passed by again on our way back to shore, it began walking alongside us before reaching out an arm toward my camera. Then it lunged and wrapped its arms around (the camera), so I just let go and allowed it to take over.'
'I had left the camera running, and as (the octopus) engulfed it and explored it with its suckers, it gave us this incredible, one-of-a-kind view from inside its arms,' Roney said. Nearby, Mullen recorded the interaction.
Video footage shows the giant Pacific octopus grabbing the camera and its reddish body covering more and more of the contraption. In the clips filmed by the animal, its suckers are clearly visible, moving around near the lens.
'Octopuses use their suckers to both taste and gather information about their surroundings, so every movement was part of it investigating this strange new object,' Roney said.
The octopus kept the camera for about five minutes before turning it off and letting go of it, Roney said.
The pair started to leave, but the octopus 'had other plans,' Roney said. 'It drifted toward Chris, reached for his camera, and then wrapped a few arms around him. Octopus hug! At one point, an arm was exploring Chris's mask as he looked over at me with this perfect expression of surprise and awe.'
Giant Pacific octopuses are 'such curious, intelligent animals, and each one has its own personality,' Roney said.
'Moments like these are why we dive,' Roney told McClatchy News. 'It was thrilling in the moment, and as soon as we broke the surface my main thought was, 'I cannot wait to get back in the water.''
Vancouver Island is off the western coast of Canada and near the border with the United States.
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