The giant octopus has been displayed at the MEERESMUSEUM since the 1980s. It features more than 2,200 suckers, which were applied individually. The creativity, expertise and manual skill of the museum's taxidermists were key to the manufacturing of this octopus.

2,200 suckers by hand

When the Man and the Sea exhibition was designed in the late 1980's in the OCEANOGRAPHIC MUSEUM with a total of 50 display cases, exhibits were not available for all the desired objects from previously living animals. This means that above all creativity, expertise and manual skill were required of the museum taxidermists when displaying a Giant octopus in the mollusc section. Only a few visitors will notice, that this magnificent animal is made completely from artificial materials.

As a basic framework for the simulation of the octopus a steel plate was mounted for the body and a round bar was mounted on that for the eight tentacles. This was preceded by thorough studies of literature, images and liquid preparations existing in the museum collection. The aim was that the resulting plastic model corresponds in its posture, size relationships and physical details realistically to the natural models. A thin wire mesh and lightweight foam served as the building material for the body and arms, which were wrapped around the curved rods. To create the skin surface the taxidermists applied modelling clay. Patches of turtle skin formed the basis of the skin structure.

The modelling and assembly of approximately 2,200 suckers of different sizes lastly required enormous effort. These were manufactured by casting and then applied individually by hand. Finally the octopus received its typical colouration.

The Giant octopus showcase is certainly one of the most artistic works by the museum taxidermists and thus writes a piece of museum history.