SAVE THE TREE OCTOPUS ! !

The Pacific Northwest tree octopus (Octopus paxarbolis) can be found in the temperate Rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula on the west coast of North America. These solitary cephalopods reach an average size (measured from arm-tip to mantle-tip,) of 30-33 cm. Unlike most other cephalopods, tree octopuses are amphibious, spending only their early life and the period of their mating season in their ancestrial aquatic environment. Although the tree octopus is not officially listed on the Endangered Species List, it should be added since its numbers are at a critically low level for its breeding needs. The reasons for this dire situation include: decimation of habitat by logging and suburban encroachment; building of roads that cut off access to the water which it needs for spawning. What few that make it to the Canal are further hampered in their reproduction by the growing problem of pollution from farming and residential run-off. Unless immediate action is taken to protect this species and its habitat, the Pacific Northwest tree octopus will be but a memory.

Here are a few things that you can do to help save the Pacific Northwest tree octopus:

• Write your representatives to let them know that you are concerned and that you feel the tree octopus should be included on the Endangered Species List and given special protection.
• Help to build awareness of the tree octopus's plight by telling your friends and co-workers, and by placing a tenticle ribbon on your website.
• Join and donate to an organization commited to conservation.
• Boycott companies that use non-tree-octopus-safe wood harvesting practices.

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