Southwest
Oklahoma boy's pet octopus is TikTok sensation: 'Wildlife is magnificent'
A 9-year-old Oklahoma boy’s unorthodox choice of pet has gone viral on TikTok as he’s adopted an octopus that he named Terrance.
Cal Clifford’s parents said their son wanted an octopus as a pet more than anything in the world, starting when he was just a toddler, according to The Associated Press.
While they attempted to fulfill his little-boy dreams with toy octopuses, young Cal Clifford continued to beg for the real thing.
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In October 2023, the boy’s father, Cameron Clifford, a dentist in Edmond, Oklahoma, decided to make his son’s dreams come true.
After doing research at an aquarium store, he purchased a California two-spot octopus, which is also called a “bimac.” The family named “him” (or so they thought) Terrance.
This undated photo shows Terrance, the pet octopus that young Cal Clifford adopted at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Terrance now has more than 400,000 followers on TikTok. (Cameron Clifford via AP)
It was “magical” to see his son embrace his pet, Cameron Clifford told the AP, adding that his son “has been infatuated with the natural world and marine biology since he was very little.”
Cameron Clifford began documenting the adventures of Terrance the octopus on TikTok, posting under the account “doctoktopus.”
As of Tuesday, April 16, the account had more than 425,000 followers.
A video posted in early March shows Cal Clifford bursting into tears when he learned that his parents had bought a tank and filters required for a pet octopus.
Like other octopus species, the California two-spot octopus can change its color, but is naturally a mottled brown.
Shortly after adopting Terrance, the Clifford family learned that their pet was actually a female.
Terrance laid 50 eggs, and those eggs hatched several weeks later — even though the family thought they were unfertilized.
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The pet’s name was not changed.
After the eggs hatched, the Cliffords were suddenly the “parents” of several dozen California two-spot octopus babies – which they named Rocket Larry, Squid Cudi, Swim Shady, Jay-Sea and Sea-Yoncé, among others, the AP noted.
The family hopes to move the baby octopuses to aquariums and research facilities, and have appealed on TikTok for assistance in contacting facilities as well as naming the babies.
This undated photo taken by Cameron Clifford of his TikTok posting, shows a baby octopus hatched from Terrance, the family’s pet octopus. Initially, Terrance was thought to be a boy – until “he” laid eggs. (Cameron Clifford via AP)
“Aside from the physical, financial and emotional requirements of owning a species such as a bimac, you will learn a lot about yourself in the process,” Cameron Clifford told TikTok followers.
Since the adoption of Terrance, plenty of things have gone wrong.
“There’s always some valve or seal that’s not completely closed, and your storm-resistant carpet isn’t rated for gallons and gallons of seawater. You’ll learn that seawater and electricity don’t always get along,” said Cameron Clifford.
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“You will learn new things and meet incredible people and will learn that wildlife is magnificent,” he added.
“But most of all, you’ll learn to love a not-so-tiny octopus like Terrance.”
As a California two-spot octopus, Terrance has a lifespan of about one year, and up to two in captivity.
Octopuses typically die after they lay their eggs, but Terrance has survived for four months, Cameron Clifford told the AP.
The Clifford family. Cal Clifford, age 9, second from left, has always had an interest in marine biology, said his father, Cameron Clifford, far left. On TikTok, the dad now documents the adventures of Terrance the octopus. (Cameron Clifford via AP)
On TikTok, the Cliffords said they have not ruled out keeping one of Terrance’s babies as a pet.
The family is presently working on an upgraded tank that is 30 gallons bigger than their current 60-gallon tank.
California two-spot octopuses are found in the Pacific Ocean from northern California to Baja California, Mexico, said the website for the California Sea Grant at UC San Diego.
They grow to be about 18 inches long, “a smaller species compared to … counterparts,” said the website.
Like other octopus species, the California two-spot octopus can change its color, but is naturally a mottled brown.
Unlike other octopuses, the California two-spot octopus has “two bright blue spots on either side of its body that resemble eyes,” said the California Sea Grant.
These spots are thought to be a way that the octopus wards off predators.
A pet octopus “is one of the most fascinating and rewarding marine creatures you can keep in the home aquarium,” said Nancy King of Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine.
However, they require expensive food and have “tragically short” lifespans, she said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Clifford family for additional comment and updates.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
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Southwest
Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly will not be retried after deadlocked jury, prosecutors announce
George Alan Kelly, the Arizona rancher charged with murder in the shooting of a Mexican national on his border property, will not be retried, prosecutors with the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s office said.
The state charged Kelly, 75, with second degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed a migrant, Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, on his land in January 2023.
The decision not to retry Kelly comes a week after a mistrial was declared following a deadlocked jury.
Kelly’s defense confirmed to Fox News Digital that there was “one, lone holdout” juror who wanted to convict, while the remaining jurors sought an acquittal.
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George Alan Kelly enters court for his preliminary hearing in Nogales Justice Court in Nogales, Ariz., Feb. 22, 2023. (Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool, File)
The case centered around the death of Cuen-Buitimea, who was found shot to death on Kelly’s 170-acre cattle ranch near Keno Springs outside Nogales, Arizona, on Jan. 30, 2023.
“Because of the unique circumstances and challenges surrounding this case, the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office has decided not to seek a retrial,” Deputy County Attorney Kimberly Hunley told Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Thomas Fink on Monday.
Cuen-Buitimea had illegally entered the country multiple times previously and had been deported as recently as 2016.
Kelly’s defense countered the prosecution’s argument that Cuen-Buitimea was an unarmed migrant and has suggested cartel influence tainted the death investigation.
During the trial, prosecutor Mike Jette said Kelly recklessly fired nine shots from an AK-47 rifle toward a group of men, including Cuen-Buitimea, about 100 yards away on his property. Kelly said he fired warning shots in the air, but claimed he did not shoot at anyone directly.
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George Alan Kelly, right, exits the Santa Cruz County Courthouse with defense attorney Kathy Lowthorp, Friday, March 22, 2024, in Nogales, Ariz. Rancher Kelly has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of a man he encountered on his property near Mexico. (Angela Gervasi/Nogales International via AP, Pool)
“He escalates the situation. His wife is fine,” Jette said Thursday. “You do not have the right to use deadly physical force to protect a person who didn’t need protecting. You don’t have the right to use deadly force when there is no threat to home or yard, and you don’t have the right to initiate, instigate or escalate with deadly force. No right whatsoever.”
The defense maintained Kelly only fired warning shots into the air from his patio earlier in the day, and his wife, Wanda Kelly, testified about dialing their Border Patrol ranch liaison upon spotting two armed men dressed in camouflage and carrying rifles and backpacks walking about 100 feet from their home.
The fatal bullet was never recovered from the scene.
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George Alan Kelly listens to closing arguments in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Nogales, Ariz. Kelly was charged with second-degree murder in the January 2023 death of 48-year-old Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, who lived south of the border in Nogales, Mexico. (Angela Gervasi/Nogales International, via AP, Pool)
“Long story short, this is simply not somebody who’s looking for the American dream. There’s no evidence that this person is here for those kinds of benign purposes,” Kelly’s defense attorney, Brenna Larkin, said during her closing argument on Thursday. “And we bring that up, not, you know, to be judgmental about Gabriel or to not have compassion for him. But when people are involved in a criminal lifestyle, it’s dangerous. It’s more inherently dangerous than simply being a migrant who’s coming here. So it’s relevant for that reason.”
Kelly also rejected a deal from prosecutors earlier this year that would have reduced the charge to one count of negligent homicide if he would agree to plead guilty.
Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
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Police are searching for a group of suspects wanted for organized retail theft at an Orange County shopping mall.
The four suspects allegedly targeted a Champs Sports store at the Irvine Spectrum, according to the Irvine Police Department.
They allegedly stole Nike products from the retailer before fleeing the shopping center in two vehicles — a gray Mitsubishi Outlander SUV and a black Volkswagen Passat sedan.
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A suspect wanted for a theft targeting an athletic clothing store at the Irvine Spectrum mall. (Irvine Police Department) -
A suspect wanted for a theft targeting an athletic clothing store at the Irvine Spectrum mall. (Irvine Police Department) -
A suspect wanted for a theft targeting an athletic clothing store at the Irvine Spectrum mall. (Irvine Police Department) -
The suspects’ getaway vehicles — a gray Mitsubishi Outlander SUV and a black Volkswagen Passat sedan. (Irvine Police Department) -
Four suspects wanted for a theft targeting an athletic clothing store at the Irvine Spectrum mall. (Irvine Police Department)
Surveillance cameras captured the suspects’ images — believed to be two men and two women.
No further details were released on the theft as the group remains at large.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has additional information on the case is asked to email njohnson@cityofirvine.org.
Southwest
Texas bachelor, 70, is looking for love, pays $400 a week for billboard sign about 'enjoying karaoke'
A Texas man is searching for love — and he’s taken his search on the road.
Al Gilberti, 70, is from Sweetwater, Texas, and is dedicated to finding his special someone. He described himself as a “lonely male” who’s seeking a “female marriage-minded” person, according to the billboard sign he pays for in the west Texas town.
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The billboard, 20 feet high, includes an image of Gilberti and a call-out for anyone looking for love — and who enjoys karaoke, too.
The $400-a-week sign reads, “Lonely male, can relocate, Sweetwater. Seeks female marriage minded. Enjoy karaoke.”
Al Gilberti of Texas is looking for his forever mate. “People are inquiring thinking I was someone rich to help with their bills!” he said. (SWNS)
In the first two weeks since it was installed, Gilberti told SWNS that he’s had over 400 calls and 50 emails.
“It’s been more inquiries from people that are looking to gain something from me — which I get. I’d probably do the same,” he added.
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“People are inquiring thinking I was someone rich to help with their bills!” he also said.
The divorced dad of one said that many people are looking to take his money — something he said he’s not interested in entertaining.
A man from Texas took matters into his own hands as he seeks a “marriage-minded female.” He’s paying $400 a week for this billboard in his town. (SWNS)
Originally from Burlington, Vermont, Gilberti is a former band promoter. He said his non-negotiables are loyalty, honesty and sincerity.
“I just want someone loyal. I want someone honest about themselves and someone sincere that’s going to be coming into something they really want to be in,” he told SWNS.
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Gilberti said he is also looking for someone with a “slim build,” but otherwise doesn’t have a preference about looks.
He even said he would go to Europe if that meant he could find “the one.”
Gilberti said he was tired of waiting — so he decided to put up a billboard in town to try and find “the one.” (SWNS)
“I’d go to Europe to meet someone,” he said — but only if he got his passport sorted.
As for what he can bring to the table, he told SWNS he’s a good listener and is open-minded.
“I can offer someone that’s going to listen,” said the Texas man who’s been single since 2015.
Gilberti said he would travel for love — and even go overseas if it meant he’d find the right one. (iStock)
Gilberti said he has a retirement income and doesn’t look to be 70 years old — even noting his last relationship was with someone 26 years younger than him.
He noted that “a lot of seniors are close-minded” but he “is not.”
He also said he’s prepared to move anywhere within the U.S. to be with “the one,” but is also willing to go over to the U.K. if it’s the right person.
“It all depends on the person. As long as I’m not going to stump the money up, and then I have to leave,” he told SWNS.
A 70-year-old man is looking for a relationship by posting a billboard in his Texas town. (SWNS/iStock)
Gilberti also told SWNS that he’s “someone looking for fame” with his billboard listing.
Fox News Digital reached out to Gilberti for further comment and updates.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Read the full article from Here
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