Henry the Hexapus

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"Hexapus" redirects here. For the subphylum including insects, see Hexapoda.
Henry the Hexapus at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre
Henry the Hexapus at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre

Henry the Hexapus is a six-legged octopus found by British marine experts in 2008.[1][2] His name comes from the fact that it alliterates well with "hexapus"[3] and also from King Henry VIII, who had six wives.[3]

Henry was found off the coast of North Wales in a lobster pot, and is in captivity at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre in North West England. Henry's unusual number of legs was not immediately noticed, and experts believe that the Hexapus came about due to a birth defect, rather than a physical accident.[1][2] Developmental biologist PZ Myers calls the defect "an ordinary sort of error."[4] After being taken from the sea, he was transferred to the Anglesey Sea Zoo, which, in turn, donated him to the Blackpool Centre.[2]

Henry is going to be in a new exhibit with an octopus at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre, entitled "Suckers".[2] An aquarium spokeswoman has stated that "[Henry]'s a lovely little thing."[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Six-legged 'hexapus' claimed as world first in Britain (2008-03-03). Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  2. ^ a b c d Chivers, Tom. "A hexapus, not a six-legged octopus", Telegraph, 2008-03-03. Retrieved on 2008-03-03. 
  3. ^ a b Ahmed, Saeed. "World's first six-legged octopus discovered", CNN, 2008-03-04. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  4. ^ PZ Myers (2008-03-03). Hexapus!. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
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