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.
maybe they are what steals your entire bait but leave nothing on the hook? never know.
You're right, cephalopods haven't taken over the freshwater world, unfortunately. In fact, there are no freshwater cephs at all! The reason for this must be physiological - how their bodies deal with their environment, in this case, how they could adapt to low-salt conditions. Some experts think it might have something to do with their kidneys (actually, 'metanephridia' if you want to use the proper term) and how they function in freshwater.
Also, cephalopods are very active animals, with high oxygen needs. The molecule they use in their blood to transport oxygen (hemocyanin) doesn't work too well in freshwater. So, take your pick! If you want to know more about squids and the like, try these websites:
Hope this helped!
Oklahoma, known to many as the Sooner State, is known for being an average type of state. It has an average population, it is an average size, it has average sized mountains and average sized lakes. It is these average sized bodies of water that interests me today though. According to various reports on the internet Oklahoma lakes have a unique and deadly inhabitant - The Oklahoma Octopus. The Oklahoma Octopus is believed to live in 3 of Oklahoma's lakes; Lake Thunderbird, Lake Oolagah and Lake Tenkiller. The Oklahoma lake dwelling monster, described as Octopus like, it believed to grow as big as a horse, have leathery, reddish brown skin. Although no recent reports have come in of a man eating Octopus in the Oklahoma lakes, natives have long suspected the killer beasts are inhabiting their lakes. Is it possible that the Oklahoma Octopus is just a myth? Is it possible that an ocean dwelling creature such as an Octopus could live in a fresh water lake in Oklahoma? Well it is possible, though highly unlikely. The Bull Shark is a ocean dwelling creature that can be found in freshwater and not too far from us either. Lake Nicaragua has it's own collection of Bull Sharks that happily swim in their fresh water lake. These sharks are potentially dangerous and have been known to attack people. However, though an octopus can grow to the size of a horse and often had leathery, reddish brown skin, no reports have ever been confirmed of a freshwater dwelling octopus.
“Lakes in Oklahoma rate high in instances of drowning. Some believe that drowning victims actually fall prey to the giant octopi living in the lakes.” reads the entry, written by the book’s author, Scott Francis, “Several of Oklahoma’s lakes, including Lake Thunderbird, Lake Oolagah and Lake Tenkiller, are said to be home to these monstrous creatures that are thought to be responsible for dragging swimmers and fishermen to their watery deaths.”
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.