Hello!
We are writing this blog to share our research and findings about octopus intelligence and eye function. Many of you may have heard stories of cephalopods recognizing their caretakers or solving various puzzles, and we are eager to learn more about these fascinating creatures. We want to understand how octopuses learn and perceive their worlds, and how they use their intelligence to overcome obstacles. What makes these mysterious creatures so advanced and easy to relate to, when they are so different from ourselves?
To start our project, we took a trip to Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, CA on March 23, 2010. We were lucky enough to have been introduced to Judit Pungor, a cephalopod researcher and enthusiast. She showed us around the station and the octopus lab she works in, told us about her current work, and familiarized us with the lab's interesting creatures. We discussed the intent of our project, and Judit helped us narrow our focus so we could research more efficiently. Before we left, Judit offered to take the adult Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens) out to introduce it to us, but the moment she took the heavy weight off its tank, the sneaky little guy tried to push the lid off the tank and leap out, splashing water all over the place in the process.
We learned a lot during just our first visit, such as the possibility that octopuses may be able to see polarized light. This inspired us to consider various experiments we could perform to test the presence and usefulness of such an ability. We plan to go visit Hopkins soon so we can conduct our own experiments, and get to know the octopuses a little better!
Until next time!
-Emma and Malwina
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