(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)

Inky, an inquisitive and intelligent octopus in New Zealand Nationa Aquarium had escaped from the aquarium when the lid to its enclosure was accidentally left slightly ajar!

It was believed that it broke out of its enclosure, climbed down the side of the tank, travelled acoss the floor of the aquarium and slithered down a 50m draipipe that leads out directy to the water's of Hawke's Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.

National manager of the National Aquarium of New Zealand commented that octopuses are famous as escape artists. As the security is too tight for anyone to steal the octopus, the exhibit keeper at the aquarium is certain that Inky was not stolen. Instead he commented that he had seen octopus slipping through very tight or small spaces.

Octopuses have no bones. They are therefore able to fit into and through very small spaces. They are also thought to be extremely intelligent and capable of using tools even!

(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licence)

Inky was brought to the aquarium by a fisherman a couple of years ago. Right from the start he was unusually intelligent, very friendly and inquisitive. He was a popular attraction at the National Aquarium.

Nothing's too tight or small for an octopus' freedom!