Octopus Den Size Selection - VIEWER REQUEST
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Published 2020-10-02
This experiment was requested by Youtube user Jonas Kirk. Here is what Jonas wrote:
“The little octopus dens featured in your videos are simply amazing. They made me think of an experiment…
What would happen if you placed different sized dens in an octopus's tank? Would he show preference to one of the sizes?"
"Place 3 of the octopus dens we see in your videos into a tank. The dens should preferably be of different sizes. See which of the dens he'll choose and then run the same experiment with the same dens placed in different positions. This should hopefully give us an answer as to which sized den he or she prefers.
I bet that in the wild there are a number of factors that influence the octopus in selecting its den. But what would happen if the only difference was the size of the octopus den?”
We presented a medium-sized octopus with three different den sizes, a big one, an average one, and a smaller one.
Octopuses in the wild have been observed to choose dens small enough so that they can maintain contact with the walls with all of their arms. Also, dens are relatively small, and they have a maximum volume two to three times that of the octopus. The size of the octopus is believed to be in proportion to the size of the den.
We were therefore expecting the octopus to go for either the small or the average sized den.
We rotated the position of the dens twice to make sure that proximity to a den was not an influencing factor.
It was fascinating to watch our octopus investigating its options and making a clear decision.
We hope that you enjoy watching this experiment and that you will keep contributing to our research with all your wonderful ideas!
All Comments (21)
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Of course he wants the big place now, but in 30 years he'll want the smallest one near a place to play shuffleboard and Bingo.
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I just now realized that his dens are shaped like octopus eyes. Took me a while!
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He need the space for the telly and the nightstand
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I love how he appears to stand back and look over the den before approaching.
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An octopus of taste, the bigger the better.
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Reminds me of the story, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".
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Octo seems to like plenty of room in his house, lol.
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experimental bias: the first time the octopus chose a den, he then kept a memory of it as 'safe' , plus it may have left a mucus/substance as a signal that he went there already. Therefore we cannot conclude that octopus prefers a bigger den. Repeat this experiment with different octopus, and wash the ball as the traces left by a previous octopus may attract, or repel, a different octopus.
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Today a bigger den but tomorrow...ZE EARTH !!!! --- air bubbles as for evil laugh ---
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Who’s the genius with the 🐙-brain who requested that?! That was so fun to watch~~✨🥰✨👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻✨💜✨
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I'm not surprised at all that she chose the larger, if the subject is a female. She needs to consider the appropriate size for protecting her eggs.
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So cute when he boops the glass! Such an amazing species, we're lucky to have them on the planet.
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I want one as a pet but they are so smart I'd feel bad putting him in a tank, no matter what size
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Boy, did I get that wrong. I thought he would choose the cozy one, and squish into the smaller den. Cephalopod likes space!
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I love the way his tentacles curl, seemingly with joy. Lol
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It is apparent he recognises the size differences and has a clear preference.
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I was not surprised about the choice. Everybody loves comfort.
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I wanna see how he reacts to a human with insanely long dreads floating in the water. Probably sitting half lotus with a breathing tube and diving weights as to not frighten your specimen. I think the faux tentacles will have an immediate effect
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homeboy wants the BIGGEST den!
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What about a test where placing and recognizing shapes/colours is rewarded by unlocking food.
