You’ve probably heard that Washington is well-known for its Sasquatch sightings… there’s even a company that will help you hunt for Bigfoot. And if you’ve ever heard of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, the idea probably sounds ridiculous. But this “ridiculous” legend, widely thought to be a hoax, is still debated in certain circles. We’re not sure if it’s because the initial evidence was compelling or the fact that our state is full of mystery and wonder, but either way, it makes for a great story.

In 1998, Lyle Zapato created an online campaign called Save The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus.

Danny Novo / Flickr The octopus, or Octopus Paxarbolis as it was called, was allegedly found in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula.

The website claimed that the tree octopuses were amphibious, spending only their early life and their mating season in their ancestral aquatic environment.

Abhinaba Basu / Flickr The tree octopus actually preferred the rainforest because of its temperate environment, apparently. Better (or worse) yet, it had vision as good as a human being’s.

Considering the Hoh Rainforest and other parts of the Olympic Peninsula are a complete mystery to most Washingtonians, the existence of such a creature was almost believable, especially since it had such a scientific name and the information was so detailed.

Drew Brayshaw / Flickr There was just one problem: it was all a hoax, a work of fiction created by Lyle Zapato.

In fact, the website was almost too good. Years after its publication, the existence of the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus – and its status as an endangered species – was still debated amongst unsuspecting Washingtonians. The website even features a Sightings section that is often referenced.

Brad Lewis / Flickr In fact, the website is so well done that it has been used in internet literary tests, where students are asked to research the tree octopus and often report the site (https://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/) as very credible.

The real mystery is not whether or not the elusive tree octopus exists, but how the information provided by a single website with no credible sources or links has managed to convince so many people that the information is true.

Kirt Baab / Flickr Of course, currently, we are all exposed to misinformation that ends up duping us now and then. Perhaps the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus should serve as a fake news mascot of sorts, a cautionary tale.

Would you find the idea of a tree octopus who crawled out of the sea and had vision as good as a human’s (in order to watch you explore the forest) interesting or creepy? Read all about the mysterious Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus here.

Danny Novo / Flickr

The octopus, or Octopus Paxarbolis as it was called, was allegedly found in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula.

Abhinaba Basu / Flickr

The tree octopus actually preferred the rainforest because of its temperate environment, apparently. Better (or worse) yet, it had vision as good as a human being’s.

Drew Brayshaw / Flickr

There was just one problem: it was all a hoax, a work of fiction created by Lyle Zapato.

Brad Lewis / Flickr

In fact, the website is so well done that it has been used in internet literary tests, where students are asked to research the tree octopus and often report the site (https://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/) as very credible.

Kirt Baab / Flickr

Of course, currently, we are all exposed to misinformation that ends up duping us now and then. Perhaps the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus should serve as a fake news mascot of sorts, a cautionary tale.

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