Octopus Intelligence Experiment Takes an Unexpected Turn

In this video, we provide our octopus with a twist top bottle that contains a delicious snack. The bottle has a small opening that allows him to get one of his arms through the hole in order to touch and taste the fish. However, due to the small size of the opening, the octopus is unable to pull the fish through.

The only way he can access his food is to unscrew the top of the bottle. He was able to find another way into the bottle that was not foreseen by his handlers.

It’s always fun when an experiment takes a turn we did not expect.

In order to understand the force applied to pop off the white top, we tried to replicate this ourselves. We were able to pop the top off outside of the tank, but when the bottle was inside the tank, we were unable to duplicate what the octopus did. We applied a tremendous amount of force and we were still unable to do what he did inside the water.

[markishbasedgod]

“He takes a step back and analyzed the situation for 5 mins”

Also me when trying to open a jar

[StarboyXL]

This octopus:


"If your problem can't be solved with force, that's because you aren't using enough of it."

[pogosmama]

I love how octopuses think it over and re-strategize. The sure sign of intelligence.

[obscureodin]

This is like playing DnD and saying “I would like to break down this door” when you know very well you could just open it

[MichaelJohnson-]

"ARE YOU ENTERTAINED? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?" - Maximus Octopus Brutius

[oddmontsoddington]

I like to imagine the Octopus cussing violently during this entire scenario.

[mikeymegamega]

This Octopus was smart enough to realise a dumb move would work just fine.

[nhmooytis]

Dr. Octopus publishes scholarly peer reviewed paper titled “Humans Not As Smart As We Thought.”

[Naiadryade]

Most octopuses: Sorcerer-rogue, high int. score, stealthy
This octopus: BARBARIAN

[ThisHandleFeatureIsStupid]

"Society wants me to twist the the top off, but I'm having none of it."
--- Rebel Without A Bone

[sissy]

I read an article about two caretakers experiment with an octopus. When #1 came in to clean it's tank he was very careful not to disturb the octopus and treat it very gently. When #2 would clean the tank he would be ruff and noisy. Without harming it he would do things to annoy it. In time when #1 came in the octopus showed no problem with him. When #2 came in it would shoot spurts of water at him. This proved the octopus could learn to differentiate between the two of them.

[charles-olivierdenis]

Give these little guys a 30-year lifespan and they'll take over the world.

[ComiCoal]

Scientist: He has to unscrew the bottle, that's the only way

The Wise Octopus: *_There is another_*

[JTKatz]

Scientists: Unscrew it
Octopus: Screw you
*breaks it*

[hollisblinn]

I could swear he looked quite pleased with himself.

[rbrb]

The way he fell back and pounced his head! 😄 too cute!

[gordondavis]

I liked the part where the octopus stole the researcher’s credit card and ordered more fish from Amazon.

[natej]

"The only way into the container is to unscrew the top"
Octopus: OH RLY

[TheUncutAngel]

This is the song I imagine octopuses hear their entire life

[itallia]

I just love these brilliant creatures!
While i was at a local Sea Life Centre, here in UK, there was a huge open pool, with various compatible species inside & you were allowed to dip your hand in & " pet" the fish

Many were so used to this & enjoyed it too, that when you approached they would hurry to the side & await your caress, the Skate & small Rays in particular were super friendly

When i 1st visited, an Octopus came to me, i stroked it, played with it & talked to it, leaning forward & as close as i could.
I just knew it enjoyed our contact.

As i walked around the pool, it followed me & bobbed about waving its tentacles so i had to keep going over to it & it would push other creatures out of the way to garner my full attention.

I went to different sea life displays, then to the cafe for lunch, a few hours later & as soon as i walked back into the pool area, my Octopus zoomed over.

About 4 wks later i returned with my then young daughter & that time taking 2 of her friends with us.
Never thinking my Octapus buddy would remember me, as i walked in, he/she was there at the edge waiting for me.
As soon as i put my hand in, its tentacles explored my hands, fingers, wrist, forearm, it was a really pleasant sensation.
I spent ages talking to it & petting it.

I think for almost a whole year i kept making excuses to go back to the centre to see my Pal
& sure enough, it would be waiting.

One of the Aquarium staff told me they do pick out certain people, both male & female, young & old, they have no preference but seem to Know
Somehow that a human is receptive!!

I left it a while because of commitments & sadly when i returned, i found out my pal
Had been sent to another Sealife centre because it was so friendly & they wanted to encourage
Disabled children to interact with it & those kids with learning problems.

However i have some lovely photos i was allowed to take & they are a precious reminder of my little 8 legged friend which i named Eddie.. 🐙
Peace
🇬🇧👧