Just as nurses ask patients to step on the scale at their annual checkup, weight is an important metric in animal healthcare. However, measuring the weight of some animals is not as simple as it is for human patients. The team at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, has come up with a great method for their giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) named Glinda.

A video posted on Facebook shows an aquarist move the pink invertebrate to a basket that drains the water and then passes the basket full of octopus to a second person who places it on a scale before returning it to him.

“Aquarist Brooke has been working with Glinda, the giant Pacific octopus, to get into this basket through positive reinforcement training. Glinda goes into the basket with no problem and is quickly taken out and placed on a scale to get an accurate reading,” the video explains. “He weighs 17 pounds and in a matter of seconds he’s back on display.”

Positive reinforcement training involves encouraging Glinda to participate in her care tasks, such as measuring her weight, through unique enrichment toys and special foods, says Nate Jaros, vice president of animal, fish and invertebrate care at the Aquarium of the Pacific. popular science.

Experts estimate Glinda is between one and one and a half years old. Knowing your weight is important for tracking your growth curve and health, as well as making sure you have access to the right diet, Jaros adds.

For those wondering if it’s bad for Glinda to be out of the water, no matter how quickly the team measures her weight, rest assured, she’s fine. According to Jaros, the octopuses may be temporarily out of the water.

“One of Glinda’s favorite things is playtime. She often chooses playtime over snacks, but don’t worry, she’ll enjoy both.”

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