Octopus Day: A 16-Appendaged Afternoon Delight

Editor's note: Yes, today is Valentine's Day. But ever since the Seattle Aquarium sent out this press release, our writers' daily discussions have lightly turned to thoughts of various things octopus-related. So today Seattlest has a bit of a theme, dubbed by one Alex Hudson as "Seattlepus Day". And it all starts with this post. Take it away, Annie...

Being Valentine's Day, love is, of course, in the air. But, at the Seattle Aquarium, it's also in the water, where a lovely lady octopus is getting all glammed up for her blind date with a dashing cephalopod that she hopes might be Mr. Right...or at least Mr. Right Now.

She's not alone in hoping these two octopi will get tangled up in love this afternoon (we imagine 16 legs could get a little crazy), the Aquarium's biologists have set the stage for a magical meeting, complete with "decorative hearts, roses, and other romantic musts." Oh, and you are invited to attend this marine mating ritual at noon today. So, whether you couple up or fly solo for this event, everyone is welcome to place their bets in this Will-They-Or-Won't-They sweepstakes. Last year's participants, Captain and Buster, had no shyness about getting acquainted, even in front of an assembled crowd.

Can't make it the Octopus Blind Date today? Then make sure you swing by the Seattle Aquarium between the February 19 and 27 for a full week of octopus-related activities, including a chance to see our multi-legged lovers be released into their new homes beneath the Aquarium pier.

But, if this is still not enough for all you octopi-hards, we here at Seattlest have a lineup of cephalopod madness that will really brighten up your day. So, stay tuned...