In a fascinating glimpse into octopus behavior, researchers have documented female gloomy octopuses (Octopus tetricus) engaging in what appears to be deliberate projectile throwing — targeting other octopuses with shells, silt, and algae propelled by jets of water from their siphons. A peer-reviewed 2022 study in PLOS ONE analyzed around 21 hours of underwater footage from Jervis Bay, Australia (2015–2016), revealing dozens of these “throws,” especially during social encounters such as fights, a

Octopuses are very intelligent and use a range of strategies to hide from predators, such as this octopus hiding in a shell. Produced by Academy Award® winner James Cameron and narrated by Paul Rudd, Secrets of the Octopus takes us under water into the amazing world of the Octopus. Uncover the Secrets of the Octopus, 22nd April from 8pm on National Geographic WILD UK. | National Geographic UK

Octopus social skills: *sees other octopus* *throws sand in face* This #whereintheworldwednesday we’re finding the debris-throwing octopuses! In a recent study, wild octopuses were documented throwing debris for the first time! Throwing things is a behavior that is uncommon for animals and only seen in a few mammals. This behavior was observed in the gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus). They used jet propulsion to launch silt and shells, sometimes hitting other octopuses nearby! Octopus are solita

Watch this octopus escape through a super small hole in a boat — and prepare to FREAK THE EFF OUT 😱 Plus more animals: http://bit.ly/2s6z1cV | Cosmopolitan