Go Octopus, Go!

[marcusmarcusrc]

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2009/12/15/bennett.aus.octopus.tools.abc

Comments

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

I do think it's unfair to keep saying it's the first observed tool use in octopodes! There was that octopus with the beer bottle years ago!

[kirisutogomen.livejournal.com]

The BBC version of the video is nicer for some reason

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8408233.stm

[gnibbles.livejournal.com]

You've got two halves of coconuts, and you're bangin' 'em together!

[marcusmarcusrc.livejournal.com]

I _think_ that the difference is that the octopus is carrying around a tool for later use, rather than just figuring out how to open things to get at the stuff inside. But, yeah, it seems kind of odd to not mention the previous fairly impressive things octopodes have done. I remember the can-opening octopus that learned how to open a screw-top can by watching its neighbor octopus figure it out first... that was pretty darn impressive.

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

No, no, the octopus with the beer bottle was carrying it around to hide in when threatened by fish (or scuba divers). Now, granted, it was just one bottle, not two coconut halves, and it didn't have to hold the bottle once it was hiding in it the way it does with the coconut, but it was definitely carrying it around for later use.

[arcanology.livejournal.com]

That wasn't tool use, that was a dangerous alcohol dependency. We can't encourage that sort of thing.

[marcusmarcusrc.livejournal.com]

Oh, really? Then yes, I agree with you that the article should have mentioned that.

Now I need to google "octopus" and "beer bottle"...

[purplebob.livejournal.com]

I have placed the octopus on my list of animals I won't eat because they're too intelligent. This helps justify it.