Octopus oracle's successor makes public debut

Paul the Octopus' successor has made his public debut - but his keepers aren't yet promising deep soccer insight from the youngster.

The 5-month-old, also named Paul, tentatively explored his new tank at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen on Wednesday. Paul hails from near Montpellier in southern France and weighs nearly 10.5 ounces; he made his debut after two months in quarantine.

The original Paul correctly predicted the outcome of eight matches at the World Cup. He died of natural causes last week.

It isn't clear whether Paul the Second will also try his tentacles at forecasting.

Aquarium manager Stefan Porwoll said he was ''actually supposed to meet his fellow octopus and media star personally and learn from him,'' the news agency DAPD reported.