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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
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Octopus "Mobile Homes"



Scientists have observed chimps using tools to get food, but scientists were surprised to see octopuses using tools--and not for food-gathering, either! As seen in the video above, octopuses near Indonesia were seen using the coconut shells as mobile shelters. Sometimes they would even fit two halves of a coconut together to make a hiding place. Even though the octopuses moved more slowly carrying coconut shells, they always have a place to hide from predators if they bring them along.

The sight of the octopuses moving across the ocean floor carrying the coconut shells wasn't just surprising. It was also very funny! "It was hard not to laugh underwater and flood your [scuba] mask," said biologist Mark Norman.

Read more about the coconut-carrying octopus on National Geographic News.

Learn more about octopuses on National Geographic Kids.

Findings published by the journal Current Biology
Video courtesy Museum Victoria

7 Comments

So octopi are smarter than we think?

they proberly are ..... ^^

Holy moly! I didn't know octopuses could carry things while walking! Did you know that (please respond). I think that was pretty cool(even that I am a girl)! I wonder if it was a scuba diver that was taking the video?

WOW

But guess it was pretty gross.

Wow thats all i can say:)

THAT WAS SUCH AN EPIC TALE I ACTULLY WANT TO BE A BARINE BIOLOGIST AND THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO STUDY AND LOOKING FOWARD TO!!!!!

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