Octopus

The magnificent octopus and its highly-developed brain

We thought we would take a little time to mark the occasion of World Octopus Day – celebrated every year on October 8th.

And there is only one place to start when talking about the octopus – what happens if there’s more than one of them?

So, come on, what is the plural of octopus? No, it’s not octopi, it’s not octopodes and it’s definitely not octopeese!

It is the very simple octopuses. No other variations will be accepted. And, frankly, if you were as intelligent as an octopus you would already know that.

That is because these fascinating creatures are often regarded as the geniuses (or should that be genii?) of the sea due to their remarkable intelligence and complex behaviour.

With a brain-to-body ratio that rivals some mammals, they display extraordinary cognitive abilities. A unique nervous system, with about two-thirds of their neurons distributed throughout their arms, allows each arm to operate semi-independently, contributing to their problem-solving skills and dexterity.

The ability to learn and adapt means they can solve puzzles, escape from enclosures, and even open jars to access food (although generally not in their natural habitat!). They often use trial-and-error or observational learning and have, in laboratory experiments, demonstrated the ability to recognise human faces and differentiate between individuals – an astonishing feat for a creature without a traditional vertebrate brain.

Octopus

But enough of the experiments, their behaviour in the wild further supports a claim for genius status. Octopuses exhibit complex hunting strategies, including using tools, such as coconut shells or rocks, to create shelters or to ambush prey. This use of tools is extremely rare in the animal kingdom and speaks to their capacity for forward thinking and planning.

They also have impressive skills of adaptability and use remarkable camouflage abilities to blend into their surroundings and avoid predators. They can change both the texture and colour of their skin almost instantaneously, a skill that comes back to that advanced neural control and situational awareness.

So, far from being a slightly-odd looking slimy thing, the octopus is a highly-methodical and advanced thinker whose logical approach could put to shame many people.

Or should that be persons….

Octopus are frequently seen on many of our itineraries. If you would like more information on the best places to encounter these incredible creatures then please ask our team on [email protected]

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