Welcome to the fascinating world of octopuses! These eight-limbed creatures have captured our attention with their remarkable intelligence, problem-solving skills, and complex behavior. Starting in 2011, scientists observed a group of octopuses engaging in aggressive behavior over a 10-meter patch of Jervis Bay, Australia, sparking questions about the nature of animal aggression and its relationship to human behavior. In this article, we'll explore the behavior of this particular species of octopus and try to show that, while aggression is part of animal nature, war is most likely unique to human nature.
The Octopus Species in Question
The species of octopus involved in the Jervis Bay altercation is the Octopus tetricus, commonly known as the gloomy octopus or the Sydney octopus. These intelligent invertebrates are found in the waters of southern Australia and are a common sight around the island of Tasmania.
In their natural habitat, gloomy octopuses prefer to inhabit rocky reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass beds, and are often found in shallow waters up to a depth of 20 meters. Within this environment, they are known to use crevices and dens for shelter and protection and will often decorate the entrances to their homes with shells and other debris. These behaviors suggest a level of intelligence and creativity that is impressive for a creature without a backbone.
Despite being typically solitary animals, gloomy octopuses have been observed engaging in social behavior, particularly during mating season. During this time, males will approach females and perform elaborate courtship displays, which often involve color changes, posturing, and touch. Once a male has successfully mated with a female, he will typically move on to find another mate, while the female will lay her eggs in a protected location and then spend the remainder of her life caring for them.
The lifespan of a gloomy octopus is relatively short, typically only two to three years. During this time, they must navigate a range of environmental challenges, including predators, changes in water temperature and quality, and competition for resources. To aid in their survival, gloomy octopuses have developed a range of fascinating adaptations, such as the ability to change color and texture to blend in with their surroundings, and the use of rocks and shells as tools to aid in their feeding.
Overall, the gloomy octopus is a truly remarkable creature that offers a fascinating glimpse into the diversity and complexity of life in the ocean. Whether you are an aspiring marine biologist, a seasoned diver, or simply someone with an appreciation for the natural world, the gloomy octopus is definitely worth getting to know.
Octopus Intelligence
Octopuses are incredibly intelligent creatures, capable of using tools, solving puzzles, and even showing signs of self-awareness. The gloomy octopus is no exception, with cognitive abilities that rival those of some primates. This challenges the notion that intelligence is unique to humans and raises questions about the nature of animal cognition.
The Jervis Bay Octopus War
In 2022, Professor Peter Godfrey-Smith and his team published a research article detailing their observations of Sydney octopuses engaged in aggressive behavior towards each other. The octopuses were observed throwing various materials, including silt, algae, and shells, at their opponents. Typically, the creatures would use their siphon to create a water jet to propel the objects, but on occasion, they would use one of their arms to throw the material.
While it is normal for octopuses to use this behavior to discard debris or clean their dens, researchers noted that these actions would occasionally appear to be deliberate strikes against other octopuses. Interestingly, the researchers observed that when octopuses adopted a darker color, they tended to use more aggressive behavior and fling larger projectiles. It is speculated that, to some extent, these animals may be expressing their emotional state by changing skin color.
General aggression among octopuses is not uncommon, as these creatures frequently compete over resources like food, shelter, and mating opportunities. However, what makes the behavior observed in Jervis Bay unique is the use of projectiles to attack opponents from a distance. The gloomy octopus has taken the novel, if scary, step of turning everyday objects into weapons of war. But, is it actual war? Let's compare.
A Sample of Human Warfare
Human warfare can be a real downer. It involves conflict over ideals, resources, territory, or power, and often results in lots of destruction and heartache. But there are some moments where human ingenuity and strategic planning can be downright impressive, like during World War II when the Allies pulled off one of the greatest deceptions in military history.
For example, to deceive the Germans, Allied intelligence created a fake army unit called the 1st U.S. Army Group (FUSAG), complete with fake tanks, plans, and personnel. They even went so far as to leak false information to German spies and conduct fake radio transmissions to make it seem like the unit was stationed in southeast England, preparing to launch an attack on the Pas-de-Calais region of France.
And guess what? The Germans fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. They kept a large number of troops stationed in the Pas-de-Calais, waiting for the attack that never came. Meanwhile, the real Allied invasion took place at Normandy, catching the Germans off guard and securing a critical victory.
So, Is War Human Nature?
Compared to the octopus war, human war is complex. As smart as they are, octopuses just can’t operate combat tanks or send radio transmissions, but they have their own unique brand of aggression. It's more individualistic, with solitary animals engaging in territorial disputes or physical confrontations over mating opportunities. And you know what? The behavior observed in Jervis Bay was interesting and demonstrated a type of aggressiveness not previously observed in mollusks.
But let's be clear, octopus aggression is not human aggression. Sure, it's important to recognize and appreciate the unique behaviors of animals, but they pale in comparison to the dark and amazing things we humans are capable of. The nature of war is multifaceted and can be difficult to define. Philosophers have debated for centuries about what distinguishes war from mere aggression. Is it the intention behind the conflict, or the scale of the fighting? While the team at LMLTU is not prepared to offer a definitive answer to this complex question, we can say with certainty that large-scale warfare is a uniquely human phenomenon.
Humans possess a remarkable ability to coordinate and execute combat operations on multiple fronts, and the willingness to go to war over beliefs and ideals is a trait that has not been observed in other animals. Whether war is a result of some twisted combination of aggression and intelligence that humans stumbled upon, or if it is a characteristic inherent to human nature, remains a topic of ongoing debate. For now, it is clear that humans are the only species on the planet that engage in organized warfare, although it is possible that other species may develop similar tendencies in the future.
Keep Learning with LMLTU
If you were fascinated by the similarities between human and octopuses' aggression that we explored in this article, then you won't want to miss the podcast version. We dive even deeper into this intriguing topic with a splash of humor to make it even more entertaining. But that's not all! Our podcast covers a wide range of fun and thought-provoking topics, so be sure to check it out and tune in for some engaging conversation.
If you're a fan of our articles, you'll definitely want to read our piece on the differences between soups and stews. It's a deliciously informative read that will have you pondering the intricacies of liquid-based dishes in no time.
Finally, don't forget to grab a cup of coffee (or bean soup, if you prefer) and join us for an exploration of the fundamental meaning of time. It's a topic that has intrigued philosophers for centuries, and we're excited to bring our unique perspective to the table. Thanks for reading and listening, and we can't wait to share more exciting topics with you.
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