Cameron Clifford‘s 9-year-old son, Cal, wanted a pet octopus; so like any good dad, he granted his son’s wish. What could be so hard?
Well, Clifford, a 39-year-old rural Oklahoma dentist, found out real quick when Terrance, as the octopus was named, spawned 50 babies.
Besides Terrance being bigger than they expected, Clifford says, he ended up blowing $300 a week to overnight food for the hatchlings. Then there was the water damage to his house, which he says is still under repair.
All in all, Clifford figures he’s spent around $3,000 to $4,000 on octopi over the past year.
“Do not get a pet octopus unless you’re ready to lose sleep and your kids’ college fund simultaneously,” he jokingly tells USA Today.
Despite the challenges, Clifford says seeing the joy it’s brought to his kids has been worth it.