Octupus Create 'Mobile' Homes Using Coconut Shells

The fact that the octopus is an intelligent animal has been known for quite some time now - The eight-legged creature has been observed to maneuver through mazes, have a memory for past events and even try escape from its tanks.

However, this latest discovery has elevated it to the status of a 'tool' using animal - an elite club that comprises of less than 20 animals, which include elephants and chimpanzees. Even more interesting is that the octopus, is the first invertebrate to join this group.

A team of scientists led by Melbourne biologist Julian Finn, was observing a group of twenty veined octopuses off the coast of Indonesia, when they noticed some very strange behavior.

The eight-legged creatures would seek out discarded coconut shells that were bigger than their 3-inch wide bodies, in the seabed. Once they found one, they would use them to hide inside, whenever they perceived a threat. While most settled for one, some created a bigger space, by placing one over the other, not only creating a nice secure home, but also, a lookout point!

While this in itself was astonishing, what was even more surprising, is what happened after the threat was gone - Instead of leaving the shells behind, the octopus would drape their eight tentacles over the hollow part, make them taut, and then awkwardly 'walk' around the seabed, carrying their 'home' with them!

Mr. Finn is quite certain that this is not new behavior and that the eight-legged creatures have been using the remains of mollusks for quite a few years. However, the use of lighter and therefore more mobile coconut shells, seems to be fairly recent.

Julian said it was also extremely hilarious to watch, and that he and his team, often ended up flooding their scuba masks, because they could not stop laughing!

sources: nationalgeographic.com, dailymail.co.uk, newsscientist.com