The Quirky Truth: Is Hank from Finding Dory a Septopus or an Octopus?

Hank, the beloved character from Finding Dory, has captured the hearts of many viewers with his unique appearance. But the question of whether he should be called a septopest or an octopus sparks endless debates among Finding Dory enthusiasts. Let's dive into the fascinating world of cephalopod classification and unravel the mystery behind Hank's seven tentacles.

Classification Confusion

The term octopus entered Latin as a borrowing from Greek, "oktopous," which doesn't offer a direct equivalent for seven tentacles. If we were to follow the Greek prefix, the analogous word would be "heptapus," while using the Latin term for "seven" would yield the term "septipus." However, these terms are not recognized in the scientific community.

English Usage: Octopuses

When discussing the plural form of octopus, the term "octopuses" is the most widely accepted. "Octopi" is often seen but is considered a 'spurious' plural, originating from neither English, Latin, nor Greek.

The Story of Hank

In Finding Dory, Hank is an octopus, more specifically a Giant Pacific octopus. Unfortunately, a human kid's rough play resulted in the loss of one of his tentacles. The movie, however, doesn't clarify where this incident occurred—whether in the touch tank or in the wild. This loss resulted in Hank having seven tentacles, hence the nickname "septopus."

Interestingly, octopuses are capable of regenerating lost limbs, similar to some starfish and lizards. Thus, the incident might be relatively recent, or it could be related to the reproductive anatomy of male octopuses, which use their tentacles for mating.

Scientific Classification

From a scientific standpoint, using terms like "septopus" or "heptapus" raises some eyebrows. While "heptapus" is a term used to describe the sac-like structure that covers the eighth arm in certain species, it does not refer to an octopus with seven limbs. It would be more accurate to simply refer to Hank as an octopus with a missing tentacle.

Regrowth Possibility

Octopuses are known for their remarkable regenerative abilities. Unless the situation is recent, it's highly likely that Hank's missing tentacle will regrow over time. Coining a new term like "septopus" to describe his condition is an interesting approach but might not align with scientific terms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while septopus is a cute and playful term, it's not a scientifically recognized classification. Hank from Finding Dory is simply an octopus with a missing tentacle, waiting for the missing piece to regrow. Who knows, the future of cephalopod classification might include new terms inspired by quirky characters like Hank!

If you're ever tempted to sidle up to an octopus, remember they can indeed be quite playful despite their limp tentacle!