How Octopuses Became the Ocean’s Smartest Invertebrates — 25 Problem-Solving Abilities

20. Remembering and Avoiding Traps

Octopuses have shown an impressive ability to remember and avoid traps or fishing gear after previous encounters. Research published in the Marine Policy journal documents how these cephalopods learn to recognize and steer clear of hazardous equipment, often outsmarting would-be captors.
This behavior not only demonstrates memory and learning but also provides a crucial survival advantage in human-impacted environments, helping octopuses persist despite increasing oceanic threats.