News
September 12, 2025
Octopuses put their best arm forward for every task
Octopuses have eight options to choose from when it comes to using their arms, but new research reveals they tend to have favourites depending on the task at hand (or suction cup, in this case). Overseas researchers looked at videos of wild octopuses in the Caribbean and Spain. They found octopuses tend to use their front four arms to explore their surroundings, while the rear arms are more likely to be used for moving around. The findings are some of the first to show octopuses engaging in behaviour that is currently only well known in primates, rodents, and fish.
**Octopuses show preference for certain arms depending on the task**
Octopuses, those fascinating eight-armed wonders of the sea, aren't as ambidextrous as we might think. New research suggests that these intelligent invertebrates actually have preferred arms for specific tasks, a behaviour previously thought to be primarily found in more complex animals like primates, rodents, and fish.
An international team of researchers made this discovery by meticulously analyzing videos of wild octopuses in their natural habitats, specifically in the Caribbean and off the coast of Spain. By observing these creatures as they went about their daily lives, the scientists were able to identify patterns in their arm usage.
The study revealed that octopuses tend to favor their front four arms – those closest to their eyes – for exploration. These arms are frequently used to investigate objects, probe crevices, and generally gather information about their surroundings. This suggests a greater degree of dexterity and sensory acuity in these forward-facing appendages.
Conversely, the researchers found that the rear four arms are more commonly employed for locomotion. When an octopus needs to move from one location to another, it's more likely to rely on these back limbs to propel itself through the water or across the seafloor. This division of labor indicates a specialized function for the rear arms, prioritizing power and stability over intricate manipulation.
This discovery is significant because it sheds light on the complex cognitive abilities of octopuses. The preference for specific arms depending on the task suggests a level of neural organization and behavioral specialization that was previously underestimated. While octopuses have eight arms at their disposal, they don’t treat them all equally. Instead, they strategically utilize certain arms for specific purposes, maximizing their efficiency and effectiveness in navigating their environment and interacting with the world around them. This research provides valuable insights into the evolution of intelligence and the diverse ways in which animals adapt to their surroundings.
Octopuses, those fascinating eight-armed wonders of the sea, aren't as ambidextrous as we might think. New research suggests that these intelligent invertebrates actually have preferred arms for specific tasks, a behaviour previously thought to be primarily found in more complex animals like primates, rodents, and fish.
An international team of researchers made this discovery by meticulously analyzing videos of wild octopuses in their natural habitats, specifically in the Caribbean and off the coast of Spain. By observing these creatures as they went about their daily lives, the scientists were able to identify patterns in their arm usage.
The study revealed that octopuses tend to favor their front four arms – those closest to their eyes – for exploration. These arms are frequently used to investigate objects, probe crevices, and generally gather information about their surroundings. This suggests a greater degree of dexterity and sensory acuity in these forward-facing appendages.
Conversely, the researchers found that the rear four arms are more commonly employed for locomotion. When an octopus needs to move from one location to another, it's more likely to rely on these back limbs to propel itself through the water or across the seafloor. This division of labor indicates a specialized function for the rear arms, prioritizing power and stability over intricate manipulation.
This discovery is significant because it sheds light on the complex cognitive abilities of octopuses. The preference for specific arms depending on the task suggests a level of neural organization and behavioral specialization that was previously underestimated. While octopuses have eight arms at their disposal, they don’t treat them all equally. Instead, they strategically utilize certain arms for specific purposes, maximizing their efficiency and effectiveness in navigating their environment and interacting with the world around them. This research provides valuable insights into the evolution of intelligence and the diverse ways in which animals adapt to their surroundings.
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