The IQ of octopuses can even be compared to other intelligent animals like dogs and cats, and sometimes they even surpass them in certain intelligence tests. However, octopuses have yet to be recognized as intelligent creatures. Why is that?
Octopuses, with their eight flexible arms, complex brains, and extraordinary adaptability, have long been dubbed the “smartest invertebrates in the world.” They possess impressive memory, unique problem-solving skills, and can even use tools. However, behind this potential intelligence lies a peculiar behavior of “self-sacrifice,” raising the question of whether octopuses truly qualify to enter the “club of intelligent creatures.”
The Intelligence of Octopuses
Octopuses have small brains, but their structure and function are highly complex. Compared to ants, which have the largest brains among invertebrates (relative to body size), the brain capacity of octopuses is only about 10%. Yet, octopuses can perform many complex tasks thanks to the hundreds of millions of neurons located in the tips of their arms. This makes their arms incredibly flexible and capable of performing tasks that require dexterity and precision.
Another important factor is the memory of octopuses. They have an excellent memory, similar to other marine animals like dolphins and squids. Octopuses retain memories not only through their brains but also through their arms and even through their chromosomes. This helps them remember important locations and essential survival skills.
Each arm of the octopus is equipped with millions of neurons, allowing them to control movements with high precision. This ability enables octopuses to perform complex tasks such as opening jars, twisting bottle caps, and disassembling electronic devices.
Intelligent Life Requires Certain Social Traits
One reason octopuses are not yet considered intelligent creatures is their solitary nature. Octopuses usually live alone and only communicate with each other during mating. This solitude does not align with the development of social intelligence. For other intelligent animals, the ability to communicate and learn from peers is crucial. It helps them develop skills, share experiences, and face challenges together.
Although octopuses can communicate through their arms and even exhibit some social behavior during reproduction, this is still not enough for them to achieve the high social levels of mammals or birds. When resting, octopuses often use stones to block the entrances to their dens, creating a private space. This behavior clearly reflects their solitary nature.
Octopuses can learn and quickly memorize information. They can remember food locations, navigate mazes, and even distinguish human faces.
Peculiar “Self-Sacrifice” Behavior in Octopuses
One of the most notable behaviors of octopuses is their “self-sacrifice” behavior after reproduction. To ensure their offspring have the best chance of survival, mother octopuses devote all their energy to caring for their eggs. This makes them weak and vulnerable. Many believe that octopuses die after reproduction due to exhaustion and lack of strength to survive. This explains why the lifespan of octopuses is often less than a year.
This “self-sacrifice” behavior may be one of the main reasons octopuses have not developed into intelligent creatures. The selflessness to care for their young is common among many animal species, but for octopuses, it has become a limiting factor in their development and evolution. When a mother octopus dies after reproduction, her knowledge and experiences are not passed on to the next generation, leading to a disruption in learning and the development of intelligence.
Octopuses are famous for their creative problem-solving abilities. They can use tools to open clamshells, escape from fish tanks, and even tackle complex challenges designed by humans.
Despite the limitations in their development towards becoming intelligent creatures, octopuses remain an astonishing species with many extraordinary capabilities. Scientists have learned a great deal from studying the behavior and physiology of octopuses. Their ability to remember, perform complex tasks, and communicate through their arms are lessons that humans can learn and apply in various fields.
Furthermore, understanding the “self-sacrifice” behavior of octopuses also helps us recognize the importance of protecting and sustaining the lives of animal species. By studying and preserving the habitats of octopuses, we can help them survive and thrive while contributing to the protection of the planet’s biodiversity.
After reproduction, mother octopuses devote all their energy to caring for their young. This process exhausts them and they often die after a few months.
Octopuses, with their intelligence and complex behaviors, are a clear testament to the wonders of nature. Although they have not yet reached the level of intelligence seen in mammals or birds, octopuses are still a fascinating species worthy of research and exploration. Their “self-sacrifice” behavior after reproduction is one of the main factors limiting their development, yet it also demonstrates powerful sacrifice and maternal instincts.
In the future, with advancements in science and technology, we hope to gain a better understanding of octopuses and the mysteries surrounding them. This will not only help us protect and sustain octopus life but also contribute to the exploration and understanding of the animal kingdom and the wonders it holds.
