Octopus IQ: The Jar Challenge
In Octopus IQ: The Jar Challenge, ecologist David Scheel introduces Heidi the octopus to a clever challenge — a jar with a crab inside and a screw top lid. As Heidi figures out how to unscrew the lid, Scheel explains the remarkable way octopus intelligence works: their smarts aren’t just in their head but also in their eight arms, which can act independently of each other. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
Lesson Express
Q: How does the way octopuses process intelligence differ from humans, and what implications does this have for how we understand animal cognition?
A: Octopuses process intelligence through their entire body, using both their brain and their eight arms to solve problems, rather than relying solely on their brain like humans do. This suggests that animal cognition can be more spread out and may not be confined to a central brain, challenging traditional ideas about how intelligence works in animals.
Q: How can scientists use the octopus’s ability to solve problems like unscrewing jars to study intelligence in other animals?
A: Scientists can use the octopus’s behavior to develop new tests for intelligence that measure problem-solving and learning abilities, which could be applied to other species. This can help researchers better understand the different ways animals think and learn, broadening the scope of what is considered intelligent behavior across the animal kingdom.
Q: How might learning more about octopus intelligence help us take better care of ocean life?
A: Knowing that octopuses are intelligent could help us respect them more and protect them in the wild. If we understand that they can think and solve problems, we might treat them with more care and try harder to protect their habitats.
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In Hiding in Plain Sight: The Octopus That Invented a Mobile Home, a veined octopus in Indonesia amazes researchers with its clever survival skills. Living on sandy ocean flats, it carries coconut shells to create a portable shelter. By using these shells to hide and ambush prey, the octopus becomes one of the rare animals — less than 1% — to demonstrate tool use and thinking ahead. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Living With an Octopus: A Pet With Personality, we meet Heidi, a day octopus living in the home of ecologist David Scheel who’s uncovering the secrets of her personality. Unlike in a research aquarium, Heidi’s relaxed home setting lets her express herself fully, from crafting her sleeping spaces to bonding with David’s daughter, Laurel. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Born Ready: The Secret Lives of Newborn Octopuses, Squid, and Cuttlefish, ecologist David Scheel joins fellow researcher Brett to explore the fascinating world of newborn octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. These creatures are born with the ability to change color while still in their sac, preparing them for life underwater. As soon as they hatch, they are independent hunters, capable of targeting prey even larger than themselves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Hiding in Plain Sight: The Octopus That Invented a Mobile Home, a veined octopus in Indonesia amazes researchers with its clever survival skills. Living on sandy ocean flats, it carries coconut shells to create a portable shelter. By using these shells to hide and ambush prey, the octopus becomes one of the rare animals — less than 1% — to demonstrate tool use and thinking ahead. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Living With an Octopus: A Pet With Personality, we meet Heidi, a day octopus living in the home of ecologist David Scheel who’s uncovering the secrets of her personality. Unlike in a research aquarium, Heidi’s relaxed home setting lets her express herself fully, from crafting her sleeping spaces to bonding with David’s daughter, Laurel. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.
In Born Ready: The Secret Lives of Newborn Octopuses, Squid, and Cuttlefish, ecologist David Scheel joins fellow researcher Brett to explore the fascinating world of newborn octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish. These creatures are born with the ability to change color while still in their sac, preparing them for life underwater. As soon as they hatch, they are independent hunters, capable of targeting prey even larger than themselves. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Natural World: The Octopus in My House, a remarkable series about a professor and the extraordinary relationship he develops with an octopus when he invites it to live in his home.