Ringo, a one-year-old octopus from the Pacific Northwest, made his debut at the Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine Wednesday. Busloads of students visited the aquarium on Thursday to see the new addition.
He's a Giant Pacific Octopus, weighs about 25 pounds, and is extremely smart.
"We give him a peanut butter jar with food inside, and he'll actually use his arms to manipulate that and unscrew the cap and pull food out," said Oscar Miranda, Sea Life Grapevine's Education Coordinator.
They also give him dog toys, hamster balls and even a Mr. Potato Head to stimulate his mind. Aquarists say if they don't play with Ringo, he's not afraid to show his frustration.
"If he's tired or doesn't want to play, you'll know," said Michelle Komarek. "He'll stay at the bottom and not seem interested at all."
When he is interested, aquarists play with Ringo about 20 minutes per day. They also said Ringo spends about half the day sleeping, and he only eats three to four times a week, feeding on crab, fish, shrimp and clam.
Ringo's stay will last for about a year before he joins another Sea Life.
Octopus Garden is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
