Wild octopus shows 4,000 incredible arm skills, could guide life-saving robots – Watch video here

Wild Octopus Arm Study Reveals Unseen Dexterity and Skill (Image: Chelsea Bennice, Florida Atlantic University)

Octopuses are masters of flexibility and underwater agility. Researchers observed these creatures using their arms in varied natural habitats. Their movements reveal remarkable intelligence and motor coordination.

How do octopuses use their arms in the wild?

A new study from Florida Atlantic University and the Marine Biological Laboratory analysed 25 recordings of three wild octopus species. Nearly 4,000 arm movements were quantified across six shallow-water habitats. Each arm can perform all action types, but there is clear partitioning. Front arms mainly explore, while back arms support movement. Single arms often perform multiple actions simultaneously, and several arms can coordinate for complex behaviours.

The octopuses use different combinations of arm actions for hunting, crawling, or defending. Parachute attacks, grabbing food, and camouflage techniques all rely on precise arm movements. Researchers found 12 distinct arm actions across 15 behaviours. Four fundamental arm deformations were observed: shortening, elongating, bending, and torsion.

What does arm flexibility reveal about octopus biology?

Every arm demonstrated all four deformation types, but regions specialise differently. Proximal sections mostly elongate and distal tips bend more frequently. This reflects advanced functional specialisation supporting exploration, foraging, den building, predator avoidance, and mating competitions. Octopuses adapt to diverse environments, from smooth sandy floors to complex coral reefs.

The study shows how vital arm strength and flexibility are to survival. Researchers suggest these natural behaviours could inspire developments in neuroscience, robotics, and understanding of animal behaviour. Chelsea O. Bennice, lead author, emphasised that observing animals in their natural habitats provides unparalleled insights into behaviour and sensory perception.

Co-authors include Kendra C. Buresch, Jennifer H. Grossman, and Tyla D. Morano. Funding came from the Sholley Foundation, the Ben-Venist Family Foundation, and the U.S. Office of Naval Research.

FAQs

1. Octopus arms are referred to as: Tentacles or arms, each very flexible and motorised.

2. Anatomy of the octopus arm: Each arm has muscles, nerves, suckers and special deformations for locomotion.

3. How many suction cups are on an octopus' arm? Each arm of an octopus contains 200 to 300 suction cups, depending on the species.

4. Which part of the body does an octopus use to swim through the water? Octopuses mainly use their funnel (siphon) to jet through water.

5. Do octopuses contain bones? No, octopuses are invertebrates with no bones that permit absolute flexibility.