Science Communication & Outreach
The Onthank Lab shares octopus science through media interviews, public talks, classroom visits, digital storytelling, and hands-on outreach.
Digital Storytelling
Kirt Onthank creates science communication content about cephalopods, marine biology, and molecular research under the handle @theoctopusguy on TikTok, reaching a broad audience with engaging short-form video.
Featured Media Coverage
Lab research and expertise have been featured by leading national and international media outlets.
August 5, 2025
CNN interview on the San Antonio Aquarium octopus story
Kirt Onthank provided expert commentary on the viral story of an octopus at the San Antonio Aquarium.
Watch
April 13, 2025
Meg Mindlin cited by The New York Times
Meg Mindlin contributed to The New York Times story “A Cautionary Tale of 408 Tentacles,” a follow-up on the viral Oklahoma pet-octopus family.
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April 11, 2024
NBC News segment on a family’s pet octopus journey on TikTok
Kirt Onthank appeared on NBC News to discuss the TikTok phenomenon of a family sharing their pet octopus journey.
Watch
November 22, 2024
CBC Quirks and Quarks interview
Sofie Sonner's thesis research was covered on Canada’s premier science radio program about octopus biology and research.
Listen
January 21, 2025
Nature article on the metabolic cost of octopus color change
Sofie Sonner's research discussed in the context of broader octopus biology coverage in Nature.
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November 18, 2024
Science article on energetic costs of octopus “costume changes”
The journal Science covers Sofie Sonner's PNAS study on the high energy cost of octopus color change.
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November 26, 2024
Forbes article on the high energetic costs of changing colors in octopus
Forbes covers Sofie Sonner's PNAS paper on the metabolic demands of octopus color change.
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November 18, 2024
Popular Science article on octopus color change
Popular Science covers Sofie Sonner's research on the high metabolic cost of octopus camouflage and color change.
Read ArticleExplore Octopus Science
Short explanations of octopus biology, physiology, behavior, and climate-change research for students, educators, journalists, and curious readers.
Can Octopuses Breathe Air?
Octopuses can survive briefly out of water, but Onthank Lab research suggests Octopus rubescens does not meaningfully consume oxygen from air during short air exposures.
How Do Octopuses Breathe?
An overview of octopus respiratory anatomy and physiology.
Why Do Octopuses Change Color?
The biology behind cephalopod camouflage and rapid color change.
How Does Climate Change Affect Octopuses?
Ocean warming, acidification, and hypoxia impacts on octopus physiology.
How Are Octopus Sexes Determined?
Sex determination and sexual dimorphism in octopuses.
What Is RNA Editing?
An introduction to A-to-I RNA editing, a process especially prominent in cephalopods.