Henry the Hexapus was a six-limbed octopus found by British marine scientists in 2008.[1][2] The name alludes to King Henry VIII, who had six wives.[3]
Henry was found off the coast of North Wales in a lobster pot, and was held in captivity at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre in North West England. Henry's unusual number of arms was not immediately noticed, and appears to have resulted from a natal anomaly, rather than a physical accident.[1][2] Developmental biologist PZ Myers called 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 featured in an exhibit at the Blackpool Sea Life Centre, entitled "Suckers".[2] An aquarium spokeswoman stated that "[Henry]'s a lovely little thing."[1]
Many other octopus arm anomalies have been recorded in the past.[5][6]