The Scientific Possibility of the Oklahoma Octopus

I recently saw the animal planet show “lost tapes” where they give a dramatization of what it would be like to encounter a cryptid.

In the past I loved cryptozoology but have not given the field much thought until I saw this. After doing some poking around on the internet I found that information regarding this creature was scarce and seems to be more of a localized story. I was wondering why this story has failed to be more popular, as the idea of a fresh water octopus is one of the most likely cryptids I have heard of for the following reasons:

1. Stories about fresh water octopuses are not new, fishermen all over the country claim to catch octopuses in fresh water lakes. (Even though they are much smaller that the Oklahoma octopus is believed to be.)

2. It is not unlikely to imagine a species of octopus that survived after the oceans receded from North America. Other ocean invertebrates like the freshwater jellyfish found all over N.A. as well as the fresh water lobster are examples of this ability to adapt.


3. Octopuses are the ultimate camouflage artist of the natural world. New species are discovered right under our noses all the time because of how well they are able to disguise themselves. Add that to the murky, nutrient rich waters of North America, combined by the fact that nobody is really looking for them and you have an animal that could very plausibly have escaped our notice and remained hidden all this time.

4. Most octopuses are very territorial and don’t like to share their niche with others of their kind. Meaning that in an average sized lake there may only be one or two breeding pairs that stay far away from each other most of the time. This would of course help account for their elusive nature.


5. Octopuses are truly indiscriminate eaters. The numerous mysterious disappearances attributed to this creature are no big surprise. Octopuses are willing and able to take down prey many times their size, and unlike shark attacks (who bite and let go) most cephalopods are not so picky about their meals. Even the unexplained drowning may simply be these creatures above mentioned territorial tendencies. Lashing out at something in its territory without any intent on eating it.

So in short I was wondering if there is anyone on ATS from the area that may have more detailed information. Such as:

Have there been well documented sightings?

Are any strange markings found on the legs or lower torsos of the drowning victims?

Are there any local stories about it that may not be in the main stream?

Like I mentioned above, I think this to be a very plausible cryptid. It really should get more attention in my opinion, and the lack of information is frustrating. So any new opinions, facts, stories, or speculations are desperately wanted.

Thanks for reading.

I always enjoy posts of this type.

Nice job. Interesting and deserving of more research.

[edit on 15-7-2009 by Clark Savage Jr.]

well I have no data to share, but I agree with you that this is a very plausible cryptid.

Why not? Like you said they could be in inland seas where the connection to the ocean has been lost. Or in major river ways. Or in lakes that are now freshwater but used to be attached to the sea through a now gone river. It's possible.

When the octopus dies I imagine 98% of the body would just disappear in a rotting mass that looks like anything. The only thing would be the animals beaks. Somebody should have found something like one before to make this more plausible. But a situation that they haven't found any beaks, and there turns out to be beaks, wouldn't surprise me.

I would imagine that the creatures behavior would be a little different than their ocean going bretherin. Having to live in shallower waters and contend with finding most of it's prey near the glades by shore or near underwater structures. maybe they spread out their tentacles like some sort of angler and don't keep them real close to the body unless they sea a largemouth bass or catfish nearby. Maybe they angle by sending individual tentacles each in a different direction in the reeds and catch only chad with them.

Probably wouldn't show up too well on a fish range finder or something similar a fisherman would be using. If anything like a moving mass of algae or lake water plants.

I think that in general these octopi would be rather small, but a big one could come along from time to time.

My question is are there relatively unexamined bodies of water, or tributaries where this creature could be making a living. places we don't really pay attention to or wade through or dredge up. I imagine a decent dredge job would scoop up one of these.

I ask about relatively unexplored or examined waters, because there were these things called gorillas living up in some relatively unexplored mountains for thousands of years before they were discovered by science. they were right under their noses the entire time.

Like this idea.

How big was this supposed Oklahoma Octupus supposed to be? Sorry, dont know much about it.

yeah there is that video of an octopus ambushing a passing shark that is twice the octopuses size and the octopus wins. THe shark really didn't have much of a chance. THis octopus was id estimate from the video about 3 or 4 feet in diameter. the shark was at least 4 feet long.

so a octopus where it's body is the size of a kitchen trash bag or a small hefty or large beach ball and it's tentacle span a good 5 feet could probably drown a woman or kid. I think there would be a major struggle but I think the octopus could do it.

I actually like the idea of a freshwater octopus. Didn't the entire region use to be a shallow very large inland sea millions of years ago. SOme vast shallow coral sea or something similar. It could be possible that a population were stuck behind when the sea closed off and dried up from climate change leaving the lakes that are thee. It could have evolved over the millions of years to live in lower salinity water. there's no real rule that says they can't evolve to live in less hospitable climates.

OCtopi like shell fish and stuff. maybe they hang out where the scampi and craw fish congregate and eat them. If so they must be nocturnal in nature because lots of people hunt for crawfish on the shores of lakes. bass love em, so they make great bait. Somebody would have seen one in the day time foraging for the critters. So maybe they come out only at night. maybe they are what steals your entire bait but leave nothing on the hook? never know.

on youtube a person named jurrasici has the entire episode up in 4 parts. Incase anybody wants to watch it.

maybe they are what steals your entire bait but leave nothing on the hook? never know.

If thats true I hate fresh water octopuses!

yeah me too. I would be getting city limits on striped bass every time I go out if it weren't for the damned octopi. funny go fishing on the ocean and it's the mammals you have to worry about stealing your bait-seals and such. go fishing in the fresh water and it's the sea creatures (octopi) you have to worry about stealing your bait. go figure.

I am from the area mentioned and I have heard the stories about something like this. The only problem is that the lakes that are mentioned aren't the lakes that I've heard associated with this creature. So, here is what I have been told.

The creature is associated with lake Eufaula, a man made lake, as most of the lakes in NE Oklahoma are. The Story begins with local native legends of creatures lurking in spring-fed ponds that dotted the area before the lake was made. The tales say that all of the springs were linked underground and the large, tentacled creature would lurk just beneath the surface waiting for prey to come for a drink. It would then grab the victim and drag them to their deaths.

When the lake was made, the creatures promulgated into the larger habitat, but still lair in the old springs dotting the lake bottom. It has been known to attack canoes and small boats and supposedly has been seen struggling with deer along the lake shore.

Other than that, I've really got nothing else. I can say that most of the lakes are connected to the ocean via the Arkansas river network, which feeds into the Mississippi river.

Originally posted by NRA4ever333
The Scientific Possibility of the Oklahoma Octopus

I recently saw the animal planet show “lost tapes” where they give a dramatization of what it would be like to encounter a cryptid.

In the past I loved cryptozoology but have not given the field much thought until I saw this. After doing some poking around on the internet I found that information regarding this creature was scarce and seems to be more of a localized story. I was wondering why this story has failed to be more popular, as the idea of a fresh water octopus is one of the most likely cryptids I have heard of for the following reasons:

1. Stories about fresh water octopuses are not new, fishermen all over the country claim to catch octopuses in fresh water lakes. (Even though they are much smaller that the Oklahoma octopus is believed to be.)

2. It is not unlikely to imagine a species of octopus that survived after the oceans receded from North America. Other ocean invertebrates like the freshwater jellyfish found all over N.A. as well as the fresh water lobster are examples of this ability to adapt.


3. Octopuses are the ultimate camouflage artist of the natural world. New species are discovered right under our noses all the time because of how well they are able to disguise themselves. Add that to the murky, nutrient rich waters of North America, combined by the fact that nobody is really looking for them and you have an animal that could very plausibly have escaped our notice and remained hidden all this time.

4. Most octopuses are very territorial and don’t like to share their niche with others of their kind. Meaning that in an average sized lake there may only be one or two breeding pairs that stay far away from each other most of the time. This would of course help account for their elusive nature.


5. Octopuses are truly indiscriminate eaters. The numerous mysterious disappearances attributed to this creature are no big surprise. Octopuses are willing and able to take down prey many times their size, and unlike shark attacks (who bite and let go) most cephalopods are not so picky about their meals. Even the unexplained drowning may simply be these creatures above mentioned territorial tendencies. Lashing out at something in its territory without any intent on eating it.

So in short I was wondering if there is anyone on ATS from the area that may have more detailed information. Such as:

Have there been well documented sightings?

Are any strange markings found on the legs or lower torsos of the drowning victims?

Are there any local stories about it that may not be in the main stream?

Like I mentioned above, I think this to be a very plausible cryptid. It really should get more attention in my opinion, and the lack of information is frustrating. So any new opinions, facts, stories, or speculations are desperately wanted.

Thanks for reading.

When I lived and worked in Oklahoma I saw what had to be the biggest damn catfish EVER, simply blaoting in the sun, abandoned for some unknown reason by whatever amazing fisherman fished him up.

Probably because it was too heavy to carry very far. If you fished alone and had not planned ahead, you may have no way of doing anything but leaving it or releasing it if you aren't a bastard.

But we have all kinds of big things in Oklahoma, I wouldn't be doubtful that an Octopus of unusual size might live around there.

Never heard this before now though.

One of my fave cryptids! I can definitely see it being plausible!

There's another cephalopod type creature, I believe it's been reported from Kentucky....Licking River? If I'm mistaken, sorry!

It was said to be black in colour with an orange, shell-like centre and long tentacles.....sounds a bit like a cuttlefish or something, massive snail of sorts?

Either way, its awesome!