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Long before ‘My Octopus Teacher’s was released, this woman Befriended an Adorable Wild Octopus

5 min read

Inspiring People
Source: YouTube/TheDodo

When a diver in Belize first encountered a shy Pygmy Octopus living in a shell, little did she know it would be the start of a flourishing friendship.

Diver forms unexpected friendship with pygmy octopus

Elora Kooistra is a diver and island dive instructor who found an unlikely best friend on the seafloor of Glover’s Reef, located on the southern coast of Belize. On one of her dives, Elora encountered a certain Pygmy Octopus living in a shell, and though shy of each other at first, the pair formed quite a friendship over several return visits to the seabed. Scroll down for video.

On one of her dives, she met Pygmy Octopus she went on to name “Egbert”.
Elora Kooistra found an unlikely best friend on the seafloor of Glover’s Reef, located on the southern coast of Belize. On one of her dives, she met Pygmy Octopus she went on to name “Egbert”. Source: YouTube/TheDodo

Elora became infatuated with the little marine animal and named him “Egbert”

On one of her dives in Glover’s Reef, located on the southern coast of Belize, diver and dive instructor Elora Kooistra encountered a Pygmy Octopus living in a shell on the sea floor. She tried reaching out to the little octopus, but as her finger and the creature’s tentacle got close enough for them to touch, both of them got startled and immediately pulled back. She tried doing the same thing again, but this time the octopus was comfortable enough to try and pull her finger close to his home. Elora became infatuated with the little marine animal, and she named him “Egbert”.

She brought a jar of fish during one of her dives and surprised Egbert with it. She also tried investigating whether an octopus is smart enough to open the jar lid. To her surprise, when she showed the jar to Egbert, the octopus was able to wrap his tentacles on the jar and twist it effortlessly.
Kooistra continued her visits and interactions with “Egbert”, but now she did not come empty-handed. She brought a jar of fish during one of her dives and surprised Egbert with it. She also tried investigating whether an octopus is smart enough to open the jar lid. To her surprise, when she showed the jar to Egbert, the octopus was able to wrap his tentacles on the jar and twist it effortlessly. Source: YouTube/TheDodo
One day, something unexpected happened. Elora told The Dodo, “After about a week, I went to look for him and his whole conch shell and Egbert was gone.”
The number of divers and kayakers was slowly rising in the area where Egbert lives so he reverted to being a shy octopus. One day, something unexpected happened. Elora told The Dodo, “After about a week, I went to look for him and his whole conch shell and Egbert was gone.” Source: YouTube/TheDodo
She even had nightmares of Egbert being chased away by predators or other people. Luckily, however, after swimming around for a few days she found Egbert again at a less crowded space on the seabed.
Elora was devastated to discover her newfound friend had gone. She even had nightmares of Egbert being chased away by predators or other people. Luckily, however, after swimming around for a few days she found Egbert again at a less crowded space on the seabed. Source: YouTube/TheDodo
Elora was confused at first as to why Egbert kept pulling her hand onto one of the trunks, but eventually, she got the message. So I put my finger, I pushed against the trunk,” said Elora. As the octopus pushed forward and grabbed two shells found underneath the trunk, Elora concluded, “Basically I was helping her hunt but I didn’t realise I was doing it.”
Elora was glad to finally find her friend and she continued her adventures with Egbert, and eventually the octopus gave her his full trust. Elora was confused at first as to why Egbert kept pulling her hand onto one of the trunks, but eventually, she got the message. So I put my finger, I pushed against the trunk,” said Elora. As the octopus pushed forward and grabbed two shells found underneath the trunk, Elora concluded, “Basically I was helping her hunt but I didn’t realise I was doing it.” Source: YouTube/TheDodo
Elora kept on gifting her octopus friend with a jarful of fish, and trying to get him to interact with different objects every day. Egbert also never hesitated to wrap his tentacles around Elora’s fingers.
Elora and Egbert’s friendship flourished. Elora kept on gifting her octopus friend with a jarful of fish, and trying to get him to interact with different objects every day. Egbert also never hesitated to wrap his tentacles around Elora’s fingers. Source: YouTube/TheDodo
They are known for their problem solving techniques when they are faced with an imperfect habitat environment. They use empty clamshells and small openings to hide and then add sand and gravel to cover the entrance or use their arms to close the shell. Similarly to all other species, the pygmy octopus uses effective camouflage and releases ink from its ink sack to intimidate its attackers.
Pygmy octopus are often described as playful, strong-sighted and extremely intelligent. They are known for their problem solving techniques when they are faced with an imperfect habitat environment. They use empty clamshells and small openings to hide and then add sand and gravel to cover the entrance or use their arms to close the shell. Similarly to all other species, the pygmy octopus uses effective camouflage and releases ink from its ink sack to intimidate its attackers. Source: YouTube/TheDodo
When Elora finally dove back into the ocean, she was worried that Egbert might have moved away from the place. She was really happy to find the adorable octopus swimming towards her feet when they reunited.
One day, Elora left for a vacation. When she got back, she went diving again to look for Egbert. When Elora finally dove back into the ocean, she was worried that Egbert might have moved away from the place. She was really happy to find the adorable octopus swimming towards her feet when they reunited. Source: YouTube/TheDodo
Octopoda is part of the class Cephalopoda, meaning that octopuses are cephalopods. Cephalopoda is part of the phylum Mollusca, meaning that octopuses are also mollusks.
All octopuses belong to the order Octopoda. Octopoda is part of the class Cephalopoda, meaning that octopuses are cephalopods. Cephalopoda is part of the phylum Mollusca, meaning that octopuses are also mollusks. Source: YouTube/TheDodo
Elora would weigh herself down with dive weights and take a scuba tank and in this way she could hang out with Egbert as long as she wanted. These visits went on for weeks.
Elora Kooistra is a diver and island dive instructor. Elora would weigh herself down with dive weights and take a scuba tank and in this way she could hang out with Egbert as long as she wanted. These visits went on for weeks. Source: Instagram/elora.explora

Egbert isn’t simply seafood

Human/animal interactions and relationships are a wonderful thing. Despite not being able to speak the same language, it is still possible to effectively communicate or eventually become friends with them. Aside from our daily encounters with domesticated pets like cats, dogs, horses and birds, there are plenty of instances throughout history where people have formed a bond with another animal. It is alway fascinating to see these kinds of interactions with other species, especially the more unusual the creature or the less likely the scenario. Stories such as these make it hard to ignore the the signs that animals have character and personality, desires and preferences, dislikes and fears… like us. Egbert isn’t simply seafood. Nor is he a pet. He has a life down there on the seabed. Perhaps we should respect that a little more.

Source: TheAnimalChannel

Woman And Octopus Are Best Friends - ELORA & EGBERT Woman And Octopus Are Best Friends | This woman is best friends with a wild octopus, and he gets so excited whenever she swims up to him. You can keep up with Elora and Egbert's amazing friendship on Instagram, elora.explora Source: YouTube/TheDodo
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