07-08-2010, 09:33 PM
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#1300 (permalink)
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PAUL the oracle octopus
World Cup winners predicted by psychic octopus
Quote:
An octopus named Paul (hatched in Dorset, England in 2008) has accurately predicted the winner of each game during the World Cup. Paul, who now lives at the Sea Life Center in Oberhausen, Germany, makes his prediction using his nine brains, three hearts and soothsaying ability, and now stands with an impressive record of 6-0.
To determine each winner, he chooses between two boxes which one he will open first and then eat the mussels from inside. Each individual box has the national flag representing the teams playing, the one that Paul pulls the mussels from first, is declared his pick for the winner. To date, Paul has been 100% accurate in his choices.
Dubbed the 'eight-legged oracle', he shocked his home country by predicting Spain to win over Germany, which has led to him receiving death threats. The response in Spain was more positive with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero quoted as saying that he wished to send a protective team to watch over the octopus. In addition, according to the Washington Post, celebrity chef Jose' Andres has removed octopus from the menu of all of his U.S. restaurants in honor and appreciation of Paul.
Octopuses have a very low life expectancy, some only live up to six months and others to five years. They are recognized as one of the most intelligent animals in the ocean, with research showing that they exhibit both short and long term memory. They are known as incredible escape artists and frequently break free from their aquariums to move into other tanks. Some reports claim that they have boarded ships and open holds in search of crabs.
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