Octopuses may be even smarter than previously thought, according to new research from Dartmouth. Researchers found that octopuses can learn to use mirrors to locate food hidden behind them—a cognitive skill previously observed only in vertebrates such as mammals and birds.
The study revealed that after training, the octopuses correctly identified the food's location approximately 73% of the time. This success rate demonstrates that the animals could use a mirror as a tool rather than simply reacting to their own reflection.
The findings mark a significant development in the understanding of invertebrate intelligence. The ability to use mirrors for problem-solving had been documented primarily in vertebrate species, making this discovery notable for expanding the known cognitive capabilities of octopuses.
Researchers at Dartmouth conducted the training and testing that led to these results. The study contributes to ongoing scientific discussions about animal cognition and the evolutionary origins of intelligence across different species.
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