The Octopus with Nine Brains | Spy In The Ocean | BBC Earth

Summary

In Indonesia's coral reefs, the intelligent coconut octopus showcases remarkable cognitive abilities, possessing nine brains that can think independently or in unison. To explore its intelligence, a specially designed spy mimics the octopus's movements and attempts to communicate with it. Amid threats from blacktip sharks, the spy cleverly offers a hollow bamboo as a hiding spot. The octopus's acceptance of the spy reveals its complex social behavior and capacity for friendship, highlighting the depth of its intelligence in a world where survival is paramount.

Takeaways

• 🦑 The coconut octopus is considered the smartest creature in the coral reefs of Indonesia.
• 🧠 It has a central brain in its body and each of its eight arms possesses its own independent brain.
• 🤝 All nine brains can operate individually or coordinate to work together when needed.
• 🔍 A spy, designed to mimic the octopus's movements, is introduced to assess the octopus's intelligence.
• 🐟 Blacktip sharks are predators that hunt octopuses, creating a threat to the coconut octopus.
• 🏃‍♂️ The spy does not have the same scent as a real octopus, providing a camouflage advantage.
• 🚨 Quick thinking is essential for survival in the presence of predators.
• 🎍 A hollow bamboo is used as a potential hiding place for the spy, but it has some drawbacks.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The spy cleverly avoids drawing attention to himself while interacting with the octopus.
• 💖 The coconut octopus displays affection towards the spy, indicating trust and social bonding.

Q & A

What unique characteristic does the coconut octopus have compared to other octopuses?

The coconut octopus possesses nine brains—one main brain in its body and one in each of its eight arms, allowing for individual and collective thinking.

How does the script illustrate the intelligence of the coconut octopus?

The script highlights the coconut octopus's ability to think independently and collaboratively, as well as its awareness of its environment, which is indicative of deep intelligence.

What is the purpose of the spy mentioned in the script?

The spy is designed to walk similarly to the octopus and aims to communicate with it to assess the octopus's intelligence.

What threat does the coconut octopus face in its environment?

The coconut octopus is threatened by blacktip sharks that hunt it, making it necessary for the octopus to find ways to hide and protect itself.

What strategy does the spy use to avoid detection by sharks?

The spy employs a hollow bamboo as a potential hiding spot, which offers better concealment than its open entrance.

What does the coconut octopus's behavior suggest about its social interactions?

The coconut octopus shows a sign of acceptance by revealing its true feelings, indicating that it is capable of forming friendships and social bonds.

How does the script convey the concept of 'quick thinking' in relation to the coconut octopus?

The phrase 'Time for some quick thinking' refers to the octopus's need to act swiftly to evade danger from sharks, showcasing its adaptability.

What is the significance of the coconut octopus taking the spy's hollow bamboo?

Taking the bamboo signifies the octopus's resourcefulness and willingness to use available tools for survival, highlighting its intelligence.

Why does the script mention that the spy 'doesn't smell like one'?

This refers to the spy's design, which prevents it from resembling the scent of an actual octopus, helping it avoid detection by predators.

What does the phrase 'being aware of what others can be thinking' imply about the octopus's intelligence?

This phrase suggests that the coconut octopus has a level of cognitive awareness that allows it to anticipate the thoughts and actions of other creatures, showcasing advanced intelligence.