A kind man found an octopus stranded on the beach at Cyrene Reef, dehydrating in the sand after the tide had washed it ashore. The man gently scooped up the sea creature in a cup and returned it to the water.
In a seeming gesture of gratitude, the octopus — now hydrated back to health — approached the man and touched a tentacle to his shoe. The “embrace” lingered for a few seconds before the octopus swam away.
We may never really know what the octopus was thinking, but these highly intelligent animals are known to exhibit social behaviors.
Thank you, kind rescuer, for returning this octopus to its home in the sea.