Back in October 2023, Dr. Cameron Clifford decided to make his son’s lifelong dream come true by surprising him with an octopus for his ninth birthday.
The youngster, Cal, who had long been fascinated by marine life, named the octopus Terrance, and the family initially believed the animal was male.
Unbeknownst to the Cliffords at the time, Terrance was female and already pregnant when she was purchased.
She later laid a cluster of around 50 eggs, something Cal immediately recognized as a sign that the octopus was nearing the end of her life, which made the experience especially emotional for the family.
After noticing how popular the posts were among friends and relatives, he decided to document the family’s experience on TikTok, giving viewers a close look at what it was really like to care for an octopus at home.
Terrance eventually died in April 2024, with the family sharing her passing and burial online.
In the months that followed, posting slowed, and the final update explained that the surviving hatchlings were growing and would soon be relocated to aquariums better equipped to care for them by July 2024.
The chaos Terrance caused inside the family home
While many viewers saw heartwarming clips, life behind the scenes was far more chaotic than it appeared on camera.
As Terrance grew more active, she repeatedly escaped her tank, flooding parts of the home, tampering with plumbing, and causing damage that left the family scrambling.
The octopus was able to open containers, dislodge equipment, and create daily messes that required constant cleanup and repairs, turning the family home into a stressful environment.
The damage and ongoing maintenance became both emotionally and financially draining, reinforcing how unsuitable octopuses are as household pets.
Dr. Clifford later addressed the unanswered questions during an interview with The New York Times in April 2025.
Sadly, he confirmed that none of the hatchlings survived.
Faced with the emotional weight of the loss and unsure how to share the news, he ultimately deleted TikTok from his phone.
Looking back on the experience, which also proved to be extremely expensive, Cameron offered a blunt warning to others thinking of owning an octopus, saying: “I think the obvious lesson is that they’re not good pets.”
After everything the family went through, the message was clear.
For most households, sticking with a cat, dog, or even a hamster might be the wiser choice.
A lesson in why octopuses don’t belong in homes
The Cliffords’ story became a powerful reminder that viral pet trends often hide difficult realities.
While octopuses are intelligent and fascinating creatures, their needs are complex and rarely compatible with home life.
In the end, the family hopes their experience helps others think twice before turning a wild animal into a household pet.
