"I Can't Get Free"... Child Covered in Bruises After Arm Grabbed by Giant Octopus

Arm Gripped by a Giant Pacific Octopus for Five Minutes
Took Three Adults to Finally Separate Them

A six-year-old boy participating in a hands-on activity at an aquarium in the United States was grabbed by a large octopus for five minutes, resulting in dozens of bruises from his wrist to his armpit.

According to the New York Post on August 1 (local time), the incident occurred last month at an aquarium in San Antonio, Texas. This aquarium offers visitors the opportunity to directly touch marine animals as part of its interactive experiences.

A 6-year-old American child with an arm injury caused by being grabbed by an octopus at an aquarium. TikTok capture.

According to reports, the six-year-old boy named Leo put his hand into the tank when a giant Pacific octopus latched onto his arm. The octopus did not let go of the boy's arm for five minutes, and it was only after three adult staff members intervened that they were able to separate the octopus from the child.

Leo's mother, Brittany Tarin, who is also a TikToker, shared the incident on her TikTok account. She said, "My son is usually calm when it comes to animals. But that day, while he had his arm in the tank, he suddenly said, 'Mom, this won't let me go.' He said it so calmly that I was momentarily confused. I tried to help him step down from the platform and pull his arm out, but the octopus simply would not let go."

This species of octopus is known for its strong suction power and is reportedly capable of lifting objects or people weighing up to approximately 332 kilograms. After Leo was freed from the octopus, dozens of small, suction-cup-shaped bruises remained on his entire arm and shoulder. One staff member described the intense suction as merely an "octopus kiss," and explained that while this species is venomous, it rarely bites.

Tarin said, "I was so shocked at the time that I didn't even have a chance to take any photos or videos," expressing her frustration: "I can't understand why such a powerful octopus is kept in a tank where children can easily put their hands in." She also pointed out, "There was no manager present at the scene, and there were no warnings about potential dangers."

After Tarin shared her experience and the lack of communication from the aquarium on TikTok, online commenters criticized the aquarium's lukewarm response. One commenter questioned, "Why is a giant Pacific octopus kept in a tank accessible to the public?" Other commenters pointed out that the octopus could potentially pull a young child into the tank, leading to injury or even drowning.

As the controversy grew, the aquarium belatedly responded by posting an explanatory video on social media, stating that the octopus's suction marks could last for 7 to 14 days.