Paleontologist Jørn Hurum supplied Hulsen with ink extracted from a fossil found in Lebanon in 2009, received as a gift from the PalVenn Museum in 2014. Photo by Esther van Hulsenĭutch wildlife artist Esther van Hulsen was recently given an assignment unlike her typical drawings of birds and mammals from life-a chance to draw a prehistoric octopus 95 million years after its death. The Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center, operated by Oregon Sea Grant, interprets and showcases ocean science and the latest OSU marine research, and also serves as a laboratory for the study of free-choice learning.Image of the completed octopus ink drawing.More photographs of Squirt trying out the new painting mechanism, by 2012 Sea Grant Communications Fellow Jeffrey Basinger.20, the Visitor Center will celebrate Octopus Day, a showcase of all things octopus, including children’s activities, face painting, special guest speakers, and a 1 pm octopus feeding at 1 pm. Visitors who make an additional donation to the Visitor Center Octopus Fund will be entered into a weekly drawing for Squirt’s paintings and other prizes, including marine themed art from local artisans, and an “up close and personal” octopus encounter at HMSC. The octopus will create one painting a week during the month of October. “The octopus’s artistic style is really bold, yet open to interpretation…the opportunity to participate in this collaboration is pretty exciting,” he said. Alex Krupkin, artist and molecular biologist based at HMSC, was the first to collaborate with Squirt. Squirt’s colorful paintings have already captured the attention of community artists in Newport, and several have volunteered to collaborate with Squirt on shared works. HMSC Aquarists strive to come up with new ways to challenge the animals during their tenure in the exhibit tank, including toys and puzzles – with a tasty bit of fish tucked inside – the octopuses quickly learn to open and disassemble. “Coming face to face with such an intriguing and intelligent animal opens people up to learning more about the wonder and mystery of the ocean.”Įvidence for octopus intelligence abounds: the leggy invertebrates can use tools, solve problems, and display remarkable curiosity. “The octopus holds a very special place in the hearts of our visitors” said Becca Schiewe, Volunteer Coordinator for the Visitor Center. Generations of visitors have fond remembrances of seeing the octopus for the first time, and for the past few years, thousands more all over the world have enjoyed viewing the animals over a live, streaming OctoCam. The giant Pacific octopus exhibit has been a centerpiece at the HMSC Visitor Center since 1965. Tim Miller-Morgan, aquatic veterinarian for Oregon Sea Grant and the OSU Veterinary School, “the real purpose behind this activity is to provide behavioral enrichment for these very curious and intelligent animals.” “While a painting octopus is very entertaining and captures our imaginations,” explained Dr. “I did this to combine animal enrichment and public education.” she said, “The art gives people a different way to experience this animal behavior.” NEWPORT – October is Octopus Month at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, and to celebrate the occasion – and give the animal mental and physical stimulation – aquarists have taught Squirt, the resident giant Pacific octopus, to paint.Īquarist Kristen Simmons, Aquarium Science student from Oregon Coast Community College, was the brains behind the mechanism, which allows the octopus to remotely manipulate a number of paint brushes against a canvas sitting outside its tank, while working to open a plastic toy containing food treats.
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