Paul the World Cup Oracle Octopus Dies
Did he see it coming? Paul, the 'oracle' octopus that gained international fame for correctly predicting the outcomes of World Cup games this year, passed away this week at Germany's Oberhausen Sea Life Centre. The two-and-a-half year old died peacefully in the night, says manager Stefan Porwoll. He leaves behind no mate or offspring.
The tentacled tipster correctly called all seven of Germany's matches, as well as the final game between Holland and Spain.
"His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself, and for each of his predictions during the later stages of the tournament you could scarcely squeeze a playing card between the camera lenses," says Porwoll. (When presented with two identical clear boxes that each held a mussel—one adorned with one team's flag and the other bearing the opponent's flag—Paul’s pick for the winner was determined by the container he gobbled down the treat from first.) "We had all naturally grown very fond of him and he will be sorely missed."
"His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself, and for each of his predictions during the later stages of the tournament you could scarcely squeeze a playing card between the camera lenses," says Porwoll. (When presented with two identical clear boxes that each held a mussel—one adorned with one team's flag and the other bearing the opponent's flag—Paul’s pick for the winner was determined by the container he gobbled down the treat from first.) "We had all naturally grown very fond of him and he will be sorely missed."
Paul lived to a ripe old age: Common octopuses typically live for one to two years. A few more fun facts: These cephalopods are found world wide, females tend to die soon after their embryos hatch, and they’re solitary homebodies that tend to only leave their dens at night in search of gastropods and bivalves.
The aquarium already has another common octopus set to take Paul’s place. No word on whether the new guy has psychic abilities, too. Guess we’ll have to wait see what’s in the cards—or tank—for Paul’s successor.