HERE'S looking at you, squid!
Actually this is a rare sighting of a lesser, or curled octopus, which was found among rocks at Oxwich Bay.
The marine enthusiasts who found it were stunned.
Marine biologist Judith Oakley, who was in charge of the group, reckoned it was the third time in 20 years a lesser octopus had been seen on Gower's shores.
Normally, the crab-eating creatures live further out to sea.
"I was beside myself," said Mrs Oakley, who runs seashore safaris around Gower.
"It was so exciting as it was the first time that I have ever encountered this animal on the shore."
But she said the pale-coloured octopus was struggling, so the group created a little rock pool and filled it with seawater.
"The octopus immediately changed to its proper bright red colour and started siphoning the water," said Mrs Oakley. "Luckily the tide had turned and was only about 15 minutes away so we stayed until it gathered enough strength to jet-propel itself over the rocks and under some seaweed.
She added: "I'm sure that the children and adults who stayed to help will remember it for a very long time!"
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2 September 2010, South Wales Evening Post, richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
