Cephalopod intelligence
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A typical octopus
Contents
Introduction
The cephalopod class of mollusks are considered the most intelligent invertebrate and an important example of advanced cognitive evolution amongst animals in general. The coleoidea sub-class of the cephalopods includes the orders of cuttlefish, squid and octopuses and it is these (particularly the latter two) which are considered the most intelligent. While fascinating in itself, cephalopod intelligence has an important comparative component, constituting a kind of alien intelligence on Earth [link].The scope of cephalopod intelligence remains controversial and studying these elusive creatures is difficult. The idea that the animals practice observational learning is particularly disputed, though impressive spatial learning capacity, navigational abilities and predatory techniques are beyond question [link].
Lifestyle and body structure
Lifestyle
The lifestyle and body structure of cephalopods also deserves merit. Without exception all cephalopods are active predators and the ability to locate and capture prey often demands some sort of reasoning power, probably comparable to the solitary lifestyle of big cats or raptor birds. Crabs, the staple food source of most octopus species, are equipped with powerful pinchers that are potentially very harmful to the soft and sensitive skin of mollusks, and prolonged active pursuit of one can exhaust their primitive respiration systems. To overcome this weakness octopuses will instead seek out lobster traps and steal the prize inside. Or they even climb aboard fishing boats and hide in the containers that hold dead or dying crabs to fatten themselves on an easy meal.*Dexterity
Dexterity, a trait essential for tool use and manipulation is also found in cephalopods. In fact the highly sensitive suction cups and prehensile arms of octopuses are just as easily efficient at grasping objects as the human hand.Limitations
Despite these extraordinary mental achievements, little or no evidence of technology has been found in cephalopods. This is probably due to the extremely short life-spans most of these animals have, and might be the only major factor limiting cephalopods from gaining enough experience to develop complex tool use and possibly even a form of culture (often animals with short life-spans have little need for complex social interaction, which might explain why octopuses are largely asocial animals incapable of even recognizing individual members of their own species).Similar Articles
Animal intelligence Cephalopod Cuttlefish Giant squid Octopus SquidReferences
- Cousteau, Jacques Yves (1978). Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence
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