30/06/2025
This is so fascinating! Octopus are quite intelligent, now we know why! 🤗
Octopuses, particularly species like the Octopus vulgaris, exhibit an extraordinary nervous system.
They have one central brain located between their eyes and eight mini-brains, each within the base of their arms.
These "arm brains" are clusters of nerve cells (ganglia) that independently process sensory input and control movement without direct input from the central brain.
Roughly two-thirds of an octopus's neurons are found in its arms, enabling them to explore, taste, and respond to their environment autonomously.
For example, if an octopus is engaged in eating or hiding, its other arms can simultaneously search for food or interact with surroundings.
This decentralized intelligence allows for remarkable multitasking and fine motor control.
However, the central brain still plays a major role in decision-making, coordination, and learning, especially for complex tasks or problem-solving.
This structure is so unusual that some scientists argue it's almost like having a "distributed" or "non-centralized" brain system—an arrangement nearly alien compared to vertebrates.
This contributes to the octopus's reputation as one of the most intelligent invertebrates.
