Personalities # 8 - Paul the Octopus

The ongoing month-long Personalities Series will not only feature men and women, but will also feature prominent animals. Today we have another prominent animal that has been in the news lately due to the FIFA World Cup 2010. You must have heard him, for he is Paul the Mystic Octopus.

Paul the Octopus, a 4 year old common octopus residing in Sea Life Oberhousen Aquarium in Germany has been used as an oracle to predict or foretell the match results of Germany in international level football matches involving Germany. Paul has been reported to have correctly predicted the winning team for 5 out of Germany's 6 matches at the EURO 2008, that is with about 83% success. Moreover, he has correctly predicted each of Germany's 6 matches at the FIFA World Cup 2010. Before German international football matches, Paul is presented with food in two identical containers; one container is marked with the flag of Germany and the other is marked with the flag of Germany's opponent in the upcoming match. In each instance, Paul's choice of food box is interpreted as his prediction as to which will be the victorious team. Paul hatched from an egg in an aquarium at Sea Life Weymouth in Weymouth, England. Paul's near accurate predictions for the 2010 World Cup have gained him worldwide status as a celebrity animal. He is thus also referred to as the Oracle Octopus or Psychic Octopus.