Cephalopods are true geniuses of the sea, as they have the same level of intelligence of rats, or even dogs according to some scientists. Unfortunately, this can be pretty difficult to confirm, as intelligence in the animal kingdom cannot be quantified easily. However, one can safely claim that the cephalopods are exceptionally clever, more than what on would first expect in their current stage of evolution. In comparison, their closest relatives, the other molluscs, are not considered to be as smart.
Cephalopods such as squids and octopuses are active hunters that stalk their prey. This requires the ability to plan over a certain period of time. Some of them even hunt in groups and work together, and there seems to be a sophisticated form of communication among them. Octopuses like to feed on crabs which have superior breathing capabilities. They must be able to plan carefully, so that they don’t end up being too exhausted and becoming food for the crabs instead…
In comparison to other molluscs, the octopuses have no natural armor and can be easily injured by their prey, which is why they need to be able to skillfully and quickly kill the prey. In aquariums, one can teach octopuses, for a treat, to solve puzzles, unscrew glasses and perform many other actions. Wild octopuses often sneak into baskets or onto crab fishers’ boats to have their fill on board with the already dead crabs.
It was also observed how octopuses in the wild prepare their protective containers which they could use in emergencies – a clear evidence of careful planning! Octopuses can learn and do not forget anything that was once useful to them. Unfortunately, evolution has given these little molluscs a significant disadvantage. Male octopuses usually die after mating and the mothers take care of their brood. But as long as their young are not hatched, she does not eat anything. If the young does not come out in time, she also dies from exhaustion. Had this not been the case, the young octopuses could have been able to learn from the mother. Imagine this going on for 500 million years – I think we would have been enslaved by octopus rulers…
Image Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintenfische
