( CNN ) -- Dubai is home to the tallest building , largest mall and biggest candy shop . Recently , however , the city proved that its penchant for the extra large is n't limited to the inanimate . Last week , the Dubai Mall became home to a giant pacific octopus -- the largest species of octopus on the planet . The newest occupant , who lives at the mall 's Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo , stretches out to a fear-inducing 14 feet , and weighs over 70 kilograms ( 154 pounds ) . Earlier this month , the aquarium announced it had acquired one of the largest known reptiles on the planet , a 1,600-pound crocodile they 've dubbed King Croc ( they also flew in his companion , Queen Croc ) . John Gerner , a theme park consultant and the managing director at Leisure Business Advisors , notes that the mall 's current preoccupation with large animals is consistent with the Emirate 's obsession with record-breaking pursuits . `` In a general , entertainment attractions have always been a way for countries to have bragging rights in the world . By having the best , the biggest and the fastest of everything , Dubai wants to show they 've arrived on the world stage . In many ways , having record-breaking animals is another way to do that , '' he says . The country is no stranger to peppering its entertainment offerings with animals exotic to the region . In 2012 , Ski Dubai -- the indoor ski slope housed at Mall of the Emirates -- welcomed a colony of King and Gentoo penguins . In 2008 , Atlantis , The Palm hotel courted controversy from animal rights groups when it hosted a whale shark in its in-built aquarium . `` Lately , you 're seeing attractions where you would n't typically find animals adding them in . It 's a merging of concepts . At Atlantis , you have a lodging using an animal attraction as an amenity to justify higher room rates and occupancy , '' explains Gerner . It 's a concept that does n't sit well with local animal rights groups . `` In the wild , crocodiles spent hours swimming and can regulate the buoyancy and temperature or their bodies . No enclosure -- no matter how large -- is able to provide crocodiles with everything that is natural and important to them , '' says Ashley Fruno , the Asia and Middle East senior campaigner for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) . `` If the Dubai Mall wants to set itself apart from the rest , there are other ways to do that than imprisoning wild animals in concrete enclosures and taking away everything that is natural and important to them , '' she adds . In a statement , Emaar , the developers for The Dubai Mall , note that King Croc and his companion were obtained from a crocodile farm in Australia . They add that the transfer was facilitated in partnership with Australian government authorities , who reviewed the quality of the display , qualifications of the staff caring for the animals and the educational purpose of the exhibit . Emaar also notes that the habitat made for the two crocodiles is three times the size specified by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums . The country 's fascination with wild animals is n't always limited to the indoors . Last year the UAE 's Ministry of Environment and Water issued bans on the commercial and personal import of a variety of exotic animals -- including many big cats and primates -- yet they remain popular pets for many Emiratis , who see them as a status symbol . Several locals have shot to Instagram fame showcasing their exotic animal collection . `` Unfortunately , the trade in exotic animals is largely unregulated and statistics are very difficult to come by , '' says Fruno . `` The animals pay the price for this trade . Many do n't survive the journey from their homes in the wild , and those that do often die prematurely from malnutrition , an unnatural environment , loneliness and the overwhelming stress of confinement . '' Still , she does note that animal rights -- though a newer concept in the UAE -- is on the rise . `` Awareness is growing by the day , and new animal welfare groups are popping up in the region all the time , '' she says .
The Dubai Mall recently acquired a giant squid and two crocodiles . Animals in malls are not uncommon . Comment: The UAE has long exhibited a penchant for exotic animals . Many locals even keep wild game as pets .