About a week ago, we moved Varys into the 20 gallon tank that was originally intended to be her home before she laid eggs in the other tank. We knew the end was coming and didn't want to risk it happening while we were away and possibly causing water quality issues for the babies. I was very fortunate that this was spring break so I was at home instead of teaching.
Here's a clip of my first (and only) chance for real finger-to-tentacle contact with Varys. When I first saw her sitting out, I put my hand in and she grabbed me. She then crawled about halfway onto my hand before I got nervous and withdrew it. I wasn't sure how much I trusted her since we hadn't played that game before. Now I'm sorry I didn't let her climb on...
Early yesterday, while she was still inside her new barnacle home, the shore shrimp in the tank would come poking around and she would swat them away... she even caught one and pulled it inside, but then let it go. Later, while I was petting her, I was horrified when I realized that one of them was actually eating the tip of her arm! I quickly removed them from the tank, but by that point she was fading fast.
She definitely had cloudy eyes and you can see how heavily she was breathing and how non-responsive she was in the video. I had hoped she would last quite a bit longer since she seemed to eat some while brooding... but maybe she was older than Trapper was when she started?
I don't think we mentioned it before, but Mr. George R.R. Martin actually posted the pic we sent him on
his fan pages. He's a funny guy... he was very quick to point out that his character Varys is nicknamed "The Spider", not "The Octopus"... Well, at least we had the correct number of legs! I expect we will have to start naming the babies after Theon and the Greyjoy clan whose symbol is a kraken. (And if Mr. Martin happens to read this, we're still waiting for that next book!
)
Varys was definitely a great, first cephalopod experience and again, our thanks to you D and everyone else who helped us and Varys through it!
R.I.P. Varys
3/19/08