Why Octopuses are Considered the Most Intelligent Invertebrates
Kazi Nasir | Dec 22, 2025, 19:35 IST
Octopus Intelligence
Image credit : Freepik
Soft-bodied, short-lived and without a backbone, octopuses defy expectations with intelligence that rivals some mammals. With nearly 500 million neurons most of them distributed across their eight arms, octopuses possess a unique nervous system that allows independent arm movement, advanced problem-solving and rapid learning.
A creature of soft body, eight arms with one brilliant brain, short lived creature, yet it thinks in a certain way that rivals some mammals. It's an octopus that has around 500 million neurons which is somehow comparable to dogs and that is far higher than most invertebrates. This article is about their unique nervous system, problem solving skills, their art of camouflage, play, learning & evolution.
One fascinating thing about octopuses is that they have a highly distributed nervous system, so they have two-thirds of their neurons in their arms, not centralised in a single brain. Astonishingly, this gives each of their arms semi-autonomous control. Their arms can feel and act while the central brain can be busy in planning higher-level moves.
Octopuses can repeatedly open jars, remove lids and extract crabs which is a clear sign of trial and error or learning and memory. They can even navigate mazes and anecdotes of aquarium escape artists to illustrate applied problem-solving.
Another fascinating thing about the octopus is that their skin contains chromatophores, iridophores and leucophores which allow them to change their colour lightning fast, not only that, even their pattern and even texture to match backgrounds or mimic other animals.
There are captive octopuses that have demonstrated object play, repetitive non-functional interactions and they have shown curiosity toward keepers and toys. These are the behaviours that are interpreted as play and exploration. Note that octopuses individually show bold as well as shy temperaments which is a evidence of individuality and obivously an example of complex behaviour patterns. They like to play with objects in water and sekk validation or enrichment interaction.
The intelligence creature have their amazing survival strategy inside a predator-rich world. Octopus evolve and reminds us that brains don't need bones to be brilliant; it is evolution that finds its intelligence in the most unexpected forms.
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Q1. What is the most intelligent invertebrate?
Ans: The octopus
Q2. Does octopus have 32 hearts?
Ans: Three hearts
Q3. Which animal got the highest IQ?
Ans: Chimpanzees
A Brain Like No Other
Octopus Neurons
Image credit : Freepik
One fascinating thing about octopuses is that they have a highly distributed nervous system, so they have two-thirds of their neurons in their arms, not centralised in a single brain. Astonishingly, this gives each of their arms semi-autonomous control. Their arms can feel and act while the central brain can be busy in planning higher-level moves.
Problem-solving & learning
Another fascinating thing about the octopus is that their skin contains chromatophores, iridophores and leucophores which allow them to change their colour lightning fast, not only that, even their pattern and even texture to match backgrounds or mimic other animals.
Play, curiosity & individual personalities
Octopus Behaviour
Image credit : Freepik
There are captive octopuses that have demonstrated object play, repetitive non-functional interactions and they have shown curiosity toward keepers and toys. These are the behaviours that are interpreted as play and exploration. Note that octopuses individually show bold as well as shy temperaments which is a evidence of individuality and obivously an example of complex behaviour patterns. They like to play with objects in water and sekk validation or enrichment interaction.
The intelligence creature have their amazing survival strategy inside a predator-rich world. Octopus evolve and reminds us that brains don't need bones to be brilliant; it is evolution that finds its intelligence in the most unexpected forms.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
FAQs
Ans: The octopus
Q2. Does octopus have 32 hearts?
Ans: Three hearts
Q3. Which animal got the highest IQ?
Ans: Chimpanzees