Women are describing sexual fantasies involving large tentacles and the thick bodies of snakes in Gillian Anderson's book More, as sales of tentacle dildos become the UK's fastest-growing sex toy category, according to fantasy sex toy brand Dragon Dildo, which reported a noticeable rise from 2024.
What women describe in 'More'
One woman in her late 40s wrote of being wrapped in the tentacles of an octopus so large it dwarfs her, describing the tentacles as muscular and pinning her down as they bend around her. She wrote of the writhing tips prising their way into her mouth and every part of her being invaded by their fluid, muscular strength until, obliterated by a sea-scented orgasm, there is no "me" left at all.
Another married woman said she has many non-human fantasies, and that one of her favourites is of a huge, muscular snake filling her with its pulsating energy. She described the snake moving deeper by rippling its muscles so that it expands inside her.
A niche play fetish with a large following
Gigi Engle, a sex expert and author of Kink Curious, told Metro that these fantasies would be categorised as a "niche play fetish". One sex subReddit for tentacle porn, 'Tentai', has 516,000 members and counting. Tentacles also fall under the broader umbrella of hentai, sexually explicit anime that features many non-human creatures.
"It's very popular in Asia, specifically Japan, but we've been fantasising about sea creatures since The Odyssey," Gigi said. "The sexual fascination with the sea and sea creatures is very old."
Where tentacle toys are selling
According to sex toy site Odyssey, kraken dildos were the most purchased in Glasgow and Birmingham, with residents seeking a large tentacle, suckers and all. They were also popular in Bristol and Leeds, while Nottingham residents commonly bought a tentacle toy designed for anal sex.
Asked why tentacles appeal, Gigi pointed to a power play element, with clients often imagining themselves overpowered and dominated by a sea creature. "There's also a sensory element," she said. "The slithery-ness of it, the pointed tip of it, which can be arousing." She compared it with creature play involving big foot, saying it is mainly about being dominated by a lustful, untethered creature and being overpowered as if it has to have you.
How to try it and what to watch for
Gigi suggested buying a tentacle dildo from brands such as Bad Dragon or Odyssey as a starting point, but said people need to get creative. "If you really want to get into that fantasy element, the person playing the tentacles can blindfold the submissive partner and put monster sounds on Spotify to create the fantasy," she said. "You can even have an abduction fantasy where you've been stolen away into the sea or alien spaceship. It might sound silly and awkward but sex is how adults play."
The risk she identified is size: Dragon Dildo's Octopus Tentacle Dildo measures 23.5cm long and 7.5cm wide, while another tentacle dildo on offer measures 65cm in length, so care is needed over how much is inserted. "You need to be careful when using them and make sure everyone is fully aroused, and there's proper lubrication," Gigi added.
Beyond that, she considers it a fun fetish to try with or without a partner. "Humans are really creative and can come up with wild scenarios and eroticise them, so live your best life," she said. The article was originally published on September 14, 2026, and has since been updated.
