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

By Chuvic - July 8, 2025

For decades, marine biologists have been mesmerized by the octopus’s astonishing intelligence. From early underwater observations to modern laboratory experiments, these enigmatic creatures have repeatedly defied expectations. With their striking ability to solve puzzles, escape enclosures, and even use tools, octopuses have earned their reputation as the ocean’s smartest invertebrates. Their brains rival those of some mammals, yet their evolutionary journey is entirely unique.
This article dives deep into 25 extraordinary problem-solving abilities that set octopuses apart. Prepare to explore the mysterious world of cephalopod intelligence — and discover how these soft-bodied wonders outwit predators, rivals, and researchers alike.

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1. Tool Use: Coconut Shell Shelters

How Octopuses Became the Ocean’s Smartest Invertebrates — 25 Problem-Solving Abilities — An ingenious octopus skillfully carries a coconut shell, showcasing remarkable tool use and fascinating marine behavior. | Photo by animalia.bio

One of the most striking examples of octopus intelligence is their use of coconut shells as portable shelters. Researchers, including Julian Finn in 2009, observed veined octopuses collecting, carrying, and assembling coconut shell halves for protection on the seafloor.
This remarkable behavior shows planned tool use—a rare trait among invertebrates. By carrying the shells for future use rather than immediate benefit, octopuses reveal an impressive capacity for foresight and adaptability, challenging our assumptions about invertebrate cognition.

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2. Opening Jars from the Inside

In a series of fascinating experiments, octopuses have been observed unscrewing jar lids from the inside to escape or access food. This feat, documented by researcher Jennifer Mather, reveals remarkable spatial reasoning and fine motor control.
Octopuses must understand the mechanism, maneuver their arms, and apply coordinated force—all while confined within the jar. This problem-solving ability highlights their exceptional dexterity and capacity to manipulate complex objects in their environment.

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3. Navigating Complex Mazes

Octopuses have demonstrated the ability to successfully navigate intricate mazes in pursuit of food rewards. Early studies from the 1950s, as well as more recent research published in animal cognition journals, reveal that octopuses can remember the correct path and adapt their route over repeated trials.
This capacity for memory retention and learning allows them to solve spatial puzzles and adjust strategies if the maze changes. Such flexibility is rare among invertebrates and highlights the advanced problem-solving skills that make octopuses truly unique.

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4. Mimicry and Camouflage

Octopuses are masters of mimicry and camouflage, capable of instantaneously changing their skin color, texture, and even body shape. According to research in Current Biology, these abilities help octopuses evade predators or ambush unsuspecting prey with astonishing precision.
By observing their surroundings and rapidly transforming their appearance, octopuses demonstrate a sophisticated blend of sensory input and neural processing—enabling them to survive in the ever-changing underwater world.

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5. Disassembling Aquarium Equipment

Octopuses are notorious for their curiosity and mechanical prowess in captivity. Public aquarium reports frequently describe these animals dismantling pumps, removing filters, or unscrewing tank fixtures. This behavior highlights their ability to investigate and manipulate unfamiliar objects, often outsmarting even the most secure setups.
Such incidents reveal not only problem-solving but also an understanding of cause and effect—traits more commonly associated with mammals than with invertebrates.

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6. Hunting with Strategy

Octopuses employ advanced hunting strategies that set them apart from most other marine invertebrates. Field research published in Marine Biology describes how octopuses use ambush tactics, luring techniques, and coordinated arm movements to capture elusive prey.
They may blend into their surroundings, wait patiently for the right moment, or even manipulate objects to flush out hidden animals. These calculated behaviors demonstrate planning, adaptability, and a keen understanding of their environment—all hallmarks of problem-solving intelligence.

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7. Escaping Enclosures

Octopuses are renowned for their escape artistry, frequently slipping through minuscule gaps in aquarium tanks. The famous case of Inky the octopus in 2016 made headlines when he escaped his enclosure by squeezing through a tiny opening and making his way to the ocean.
These daring getaways demonstrate not only physical flexibility but also keen observation and persistent problem-solving—traits that captivate both scientists and the public.

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8. Complex Communication Displays

Octopuses communicate with remarkable sophistication, using rapid skin color changes and dynamic body postures. Research in the journal Animal Behaviour highlights how these displays convey warning signals, intentions, or even emotional states to other octopuses and animals nearby.
Through coordinated patterns and gestures, octopuses can express aggression, submission, or readiness to mate. This visual language adds a unique social dimension to their intelligence, allowing for nuanced interactions in the often perilous underwater world.

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9. Self-Recognition and Problem Reflection

Emerging research suggests that octopuses possess a degree of self-recognition and the ability to reflect on their own actions. Studies published in Frontiers in Psychology indicate that octopuses can distinguish their arms from other objects and modify their behavior based on past experiences.
This self-awareness is rare among invertebrates and implies a higher level of cognitive processing. By learning from mistakes and adapting their approach, octopuses demonstrate a capacity for problem reflection that rivals some vertebrate species.

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10. Short- and Long-Term Memory

Octopuses possess impressive short- and long-term memory capabilities. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology demonstrates that they can remember how to solve complex tasks and reapply learned solutions after several days or even weeks.
This ability to store and retrieve information allows octopuses to approach challenges more efficiently over time, highlighting the sophistication of their neural networks and reinforcing their reputation as master problem-solvers.

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11. Deterring Predators with Ink Clouds

When faced with danger, octopuses skillfully release ink clouds to confuse or repel predators. According to the Smithsonian Ocean Portal, these clever creatures can adapt their inking technique—sometimes creating a decoy “smoke screen,” other times releasing chemicals that irritate attackers’ senses.
This strategic use of ink showcases the octopus’s ability to assess threats and select the most effective defensive response, further underscoring their flexible problem-solving nature.

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12. Manipulating Objects with Arms

Octopuses boast a remarkable decentralized neural system that enables each of their arms to independently sense, explore, and manipulate objects. Research in Nature Communications reveals that octopus arms can solve simple tasks and respond to stimuli without direct input from the central brain.
This distributed intelligence allows for incredible multitasking—while one arm investigates a crevice, another may be opening a shell or probing the seafloor. Such autonomy greatly enhances their problem-solving versatility and adaptability in complex environments.

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13. Individual Personalities

Octopuses are far from being “simple” invertebrates—research by Jennifer Mather has shown that each individual displays unique personalities, ranging from bold and curious to cautious or reclusive.
They have distinct preferences and consistent behavioral patterns, whether exploring their surroundings or interacting with objects. This diversity in temperament challenges traditional views and suggests a deeper, more complex intelligence at work within these fascinating animals.

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14. Learning by Observation

Octopuses are capable of social learning—a rare trait among invertebrates. In experiments published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, octopuses watched their peers solve puzzles and were then able to complete similar tasks much more quickly.
This ability to learn by observation allows them to acquire new skills without direct trial and error, further demonstrating the depth and flexibility of octopus intelligence in both wild and controlled environments.

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15. Regenerating Lost Limbs

Octopuses have the remarkable ability to regenerate lost arms, but their problem-solving doesn’t end there. According to National Geographic, they actively adapt their behaviors while a limb regrows—altering hunting and movement strategies to compensate for the temporary loss.
This dynamic adjustment ensures their continued survival, allowing them to thrive even after injury. It’s yet another testament to the octopus’s flexible intelligence and extraordinary adaptability in challenging environments.

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16. Recognizing Human Caretakers

Octopuses have demonstrated the ability to recognize individual human caretakers, often showing clear preferences or aversions. Observations in aquarium settings, reported by Scientific American, reveal that octopuses may interact playfully with some staff while avoiding others.
This discriminatory behavior suggests a sophisticated level of perception and memory, allowing octopuses to form unique relationships and adapt their responses to specific people.

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17. Problem-Solving Under Time Pressure

When faced with sudden threats, octopuses excel at improvising solutions and adapting on the fly. Experiments published in Animal Cognition reveal that octopuses can rapidly change tactics and find new escape routes or hiding places when under time pressure.
Their ability to think quickly and respond to unexpected challenges highlights not just intelligence, but also remarkable mental agility—an essential survival skill in the unpredictable world of the ocean.

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18. Using Tools for Hunting

Octopuses have been observed using tools during hunts, further expanding their reputation for ingenuity. In studies highlighted by Science Advances, octopuses have been seen wielding rocks or shells to flush prey out from hiding spots or to block crevices, trapping their quarry.
These inventive hunting techniques showcase not just the use of available materials, but also a clear understanding of cause and effect. This expansive toolkit allows octopuses to adapt their strategies to a wide range of prey and environments.

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19. Solving Puzzles for Food

Octopuses are frequently challenged with complex puzzles in laboratory and aquarium settings. According to BBC Earth, some have learned to open boxes with multiple latches or solve intricate mechanisms to access hidden food rewards.
This demonstrates advanced cognitive processing—combining memory, logical reasoning, and patience. Their ability to tackle multi-step problems reveals a sophisticated intelligence that continues to surprise and intrigue researchers worldwide.

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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.

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21. Adapting Tactics Based on Experience

Octopuses are renowned for their behavioral flexibility, often refining their approaches to new challenges by drawing on past experiences. According to research in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, these animals analyze what worked—or failed—in previous situations and modify their tactics accordingly.
This adaptive learning allows octopuses to solve novel problems efficiently and creatively, underscoring their capacity for innovation and continual improvement in unpredictable environments.

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22. Building Dens and Fortifications

Octopuses are skilled architects, often constructing elaborate dens from rocks, shells, and debris found on the seafloor. As detailed in Oceanographic Magazine, these dens provide both protection and comfort, with octopuses carefully arranging materials to fortify entrances and create secure hideaways.
This ability to modify their environment highlights not just intelligence, but also foresight—demonstrating yet another layer of problem-solving in their daily lives.

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23. Manipulating Water Jets

Octopuses use their siphons as precision tools, skillfully directing water jets to move objects, clear debris, or flush prey from hiding. According to Live Science, this behavior showcases fine motor control and a clever use of available resources.
By manipulating water flow with purpose, octopuses demonstrate both creativity and problem-solving—turning a simple anatomical feature into a versatile instrument for interacting with their environment.

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24. Coordinating Arm Movements Independently

Octopuses possess a unique neural adaptation: their arms can act semi-independently, solving problems without constant direction from the central brain. Research featured in Cell Reports reveals that each arm’s neural network enables it to coordinate movements, explore objects, and react to stimuli autonomously.
This distributed intelligence allows octopuses to multitask, manipulate tools, and interact with their environment in ways unmatched by other invertebrates, further elevating their status as master problem-solvers.

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25. Rapid Learning and Forgetting

Octopuses exhibit remarkable cognitive efficiency, rapidly learning new tasks yet also quickly forgetting irrelevant information. As highlighted by Science Magazine, this adaptive learning strategy allows them to focus on the most useful knowledge, a trait likely shaped by their short lifespans.
By optimizing what they remember, octopuses enhance their problem-solving abilities—mastering essential skills while discarding distractions, and demonstrating a flexible approach to learning that stands out even among intelligent animals.

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Conclusion

The octopus stands unrivaled as the ocean’s most intelligent invertebrate, displaying an extraordinary spectrum of problem-solving abilities—from tool use and strategic hunting to complex communication and rapid learning. As research continues to unravel the mysteries of their unique neural architecture and cognitive powers, we gain not only scientific insight but also a profound appreciation for these remarkable creatures.
Their ingenuity invites us to rethink what intelligence means in the animal kingdom. Let their story inspire curiosity, respect, and a commitment to protecting our planet’s most enigmatic minds.

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