Researchers from Dartmouth College have made an intriguing discovery about California two-spot octopuses, revealing their ability to utilize a mirror to locate food that is not directly visible to them. In the study, these octopuses were first presented with a live crab concealed behind a corner, which they could see only through the mirror. Subsequently, instead of a real crab, the scientists displayed a virtual image of a crab that appeared behind the octopuses, either to one side or the other. For a reward, the octopuses had to navigate away from the mirror, turn around, and select the correct direction. Impressively, they accomplished this task correctly approximately 73% of the time, and they became progressively quicker at identifying the right location. This finding marks a significant instance where an intelligent species not only tackles a challenge designed by humans but also learns to manipulate a mirror as a navigational tool. Previously, such capabilities had only been documented in vertebrates, including certain mammals and birds. Researchers speculate that octopuses might be capable of forming internal representations of their environment. This notion is particularly fascinating given that the last common ancestor of humans and octopuses existed around 350 to 500 million years ago, suggesting that two vastly different evolutionary paths may have independently cultivated similar cognitive skills. Are octopuses smarter than previously believed? Indeed, they appear to be the ocean's geniuses, although caution is warranted in making sweeping conclusions.
Informational material. 18+.
