Unusual Invertebrate Behavior
by BradfordAussie scientists find coconut-carrying octopus is the title of the linked USA Today article having a video to boot.
Australian scientists have discovered an octopus in Indonesia that collects coconut shells for shelter — unusually sophisticated behavior that the researchers believe is the first evidence of tool use in an invertebrate animal.
The scientists filmed the veined octopus, Amphioctopus marginatus, selecting halved coconut shells from the sea floor, emptying them out, carrying them under their bodies up to 65 feet (20 meters), and assembling two shells together to make a spherical hiding spot.



















December 15th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Ain't evolution grand!
Comment by Daniel Smith — December 15, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
December 18th, 2009 at 1:43 am
It really is! cepholopods are incredibly smart!
Comment by HypatiasGirl — December 18, 2009 @ 1:43 am
December 18th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Have they found one that lives in a pineapple?
(SOMEBODY had to ask…)
Comment by Tom MH — December 18, 2009 @ 12:04 pm