The Minds of the Deep: Understanding Octopus Intelligence

Recent research reveals that octopuses exhibit behaviors once thought unique to mammals: tool use, problem-solving, and individual personalities. Blue Ocean News explores what cephalopod intelligence tells us about consciousness.

Marine biologists study octopus cognition in the wild and in labs, documenting surprising behaviors. Some species collect coconut shells for shelter, while others recognize individual humans and display clear preferences.

This feature raises ethical questions about how we treat these intelligent creatures, especially as commercial fishing and research expand. If octopuses are conscious, what rights should they have?