A 6-year-old boy was left with welts along his arm after an octopus glommed onto him, his mother, Britney Taryn, recounted when speaking about the harrowing experience at a Texas aquarium in a social media video that has drawn millions of views 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 explained in the video that her son has often visited the octopus at the San Antonio Aquarium in the past. He is allowed to touch the creature, and it usually suctions on to her son and then releases.

“We want to emphasize that our giant Pacific octopus is a healthy, well-cared-for animal that thrives in its habitat and does not exhibit harmful behavior toward guests or staff. Octopuses are highly intelligent and curious creatures, 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.”