A 6-year-old boy was left with welts on his arm after an octopus latched onto him. His mother, Britney Taryn, recounted the alarming experience at a Texas aquarium in a widely viewed social media video on TikTok.

Taryn included video footage showing the marks dotting the length of her son’s arm all the way up to his armpit.

She mentioned in the video that her son regularly visits the octopus at the San Antonio Aquarium. He is permitted to touch the animal, and typically, it suctions onto her son and then lets go.

“We want to emphasize that our giant Pacific octopus is a healthy, well-cared-for animal thriving in its environment and does not display harmful behavior toward guests or staff. Octopuses are highly intelligent and curious beings, and their interactions with humans are often playful and exploratory.

“However, as with any animal encounter, there are inherent risks, which is why we have strict protocols in place to ensure safety for all.”