KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Why octopuses are more like humans than we think

Tako, a giant Pacific octopus at OdySea Aquarium, died last month; she’d lived there for more than two years.

The aquarium’s director of animal care said on Facebook that Tako was "gentle, loving and unique,” and that she became an "'octopus teacher,' inspiring people everywhere to care about octopuses.'"

One person who didn’t need any convincing to care about them is Sy Montgomery, an author whose 2015 book, "The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness," was a finalist for the National Book Award. (And, by the way, she says octopuses is the correct plural form of octopus.)

The Show spoke with her about her work and how she got interested in octopuses.

More stories from KJZZ

Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.