Saturday, October 8 is World Octopus Day and it’s a great time to take action to protect octopuses around the world and learn more about these incredible cephalopods. 

To celebrate, we are thrilled to invite you to a virtual book talk with the author of The Soul of an Octopus, Sy Montogomery on Saturday, October 8 at 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST. 

Montogomery is a nature writer whose work focuses on the animals she has encountered, including tigers, gorillas, octopuses, and her companion pig named Christopher. Her book The Soul of an Octopus explores the intelligence and consciousness of octopuses and the relationships they form with humans, including herself. Montgomery has authored 33 books for both adults and children.

Here’s how you can join In Defense of Animals and Sy Montgomery on World Octopus Day:

What: In Defense of Animals hosts a book talk with The Soul of an Octopus author Sy Montgomery. 

When: Saturday, October 8 at noon ET/9 a.m. PT 

Where: Please use this link to register for our free book talk: https://bit.ly/octopustalk 

Once you register, you will receive an email with the login details to join by computer or phone. 

We have also partnered with Animal Save Movement to coordinate a day of action to put an end to a proposed octopus factory farm in Europe and bring awareness to the wonderful and mysterious world of cephalopods.

Octopus flesh is offered on many menus and in grocery stores around the world, and researchers estimate that about 50,000 tons of octopus are caught each year for slaughter. Even more disturbing is a massive proposed octopus farm which is being hotly opposed by thousands of In Defense of Animals supporters, conservationists, scientists, and people passionate about animals alike. You can take action and let the European Food Safety Authority and the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition know that multinational corporation Nueva Pescanova must be stopped in its plans to launch the world’s first octopus farm by sending a letter.

Octopuses are incredibly intelligent, sentient animals who are capable of feeling emotions like joy, pain, and fear. Scientific research has documented vast evidence that octopuses experience a range of moods, from grumpy to playful, just as humans do, and show remarkable curiosity and problem-solving abilities. They are able to use tools, plan ahead, and befriend other species.

Want to impress with some cephalopod knowledge? Here are some fun facts about the incredible octopus:

1. The oldest records of octopus life come in the form of fossils that date back over 296 million years ago, long before dinosaurs and their reptilian predecessors walked the Earth.
   
   
2. Octopuses have eight arms that operate somewhat independently from the brain meaning the tentacles are able to problem solve and investigate surroundings while the octopuses themselves can focus on other tasks.
   
   
3. Octopuses range greatly in size, measuring from just half an inch to 30 feet, and can weigh up to 600 pounds.

You can take World Octopus Day into your own hands (or tentacles) and participate in a day of action to celebrate these iconic animals. Consider hosting a viewing of the acclaimed documentary My Octopus Teacher, taking part in demonstrations organized by Animal Save Movement, learning about cephalopods and sharing that knowledge with friends and family or on social media, and choosing compassion by leaving octopuses off your plate. 

Also, please be sure to share our alert on social media on Saturday, October 8, 2022, and tag your friends.