Family’s Pet Octopus Lays 50 Eggs — And Wreaks Havoc on Their Home

Most kids beg their parents for a puppy or a kitten, but for nine-year-old Cal Clifford from Edmond, Oklahoma, only one pet would do — an octopus.

After years of pleading, his parents finally gave in and got him Terrance, a small octopus, for his birthday in late 2023.

At first, things seemed to be going well. The Clifford family adjusted to life with their unusual pet, enjoying Terrance’s intelligence and quirky behavior.

However, their world turned upside down when they discovered that Terrance was actually female — and had laid 50 eggs.

From Unusual Pet to Household Chaos

The family soon realized they were in way over their heads. Unlike a litter of puppies, rehoming baby octopuses wasn’t easy.

Instead, they had to care for them themselves, which quickly became a logistical and financial nightmare.

Cameron Clifford, Cal’s father, told The New York Times, “It’s a lot of work. A lot of work and emotion and money and time.”

The family scrambled to build extra aquariums to house the hatchlings, but their efforts came at a steep cost.

Between the constant water spills, rising electricity bills, and unexpected maintenance costs, their home began to suffer.

The excess moisture led to electrical issues, even causing small fires. What started as an innocent childhood wish turned into a full-scale crisis.

The Cost of an Exotic Pet

In an interview with USA Today, Cameron warned other potential octopus owners:

“Do not get a pet octopus unless you’re ready to lose sleep and your kids’ college fund simultaneously.”

Despite the chaos, the Cliffords remained committed to their newfound octopus family.

While Terrance passed away in April 2024 — following the natural life cycle of female octopuses — the family continues to raise some of her offspring.

Their unusual journey has captured public attention, with their TikTok account @doctoktopus documenting their experience.

@doctoktopus #FYP ♬ Lofi peace chillbeats(1258000) – Enokido

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