Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________
"I was gobsmacked," said Finn, a research
One Smart Octopus!
biologist. "I've never seen [an octopus] that grabs [a
shell] and jogs across the sea floor."
To "jog across the sea floor," the veined
octopus engages in a bizarre form of propulsion. Finn
and Norman have termed this behavior "stilt-walking."
The octopus stiffens its tentacles into something like
legs. The creature then maneuvers in an awkward—
and somewhat comical—fashion along the seabed. It
looks like an overgrown, uncoordinated spider.
"I was trying hard not to laugh," said Finn.
(Laughing can allow water to seep into a scuba diver's
MELBOURNE, Australia. Australian
researchers were astonished to discover a species of
mask.)
According to Finn, the octopus' odd coconut-
octopus in Indonesia that collects coconut shells with
gathering behavior is an example of tool use that had
the intention of using them to build a shelter.
not previously been documented in invertebrates.
According to scientists, this unusually sophisticated
These creatures often utilize foreign objects as shelter.
behavior may be the first evidence of an invertebrate
However, the veined octopus is going a step further.
utilizing a tool.
The animals prepare the shells and carry them for
Researchers Julian Finn and Mark Norman of
Australia reported seeing four Amphioctopus
marginatus—commonly known as "veined octopuses"
considerable distances. The octopuses then reassemble
the shells as shelter elsewhere.
"What makes it different from a hermit crab is
or "coconut octopuses"—gathering coconut shells. The
this octopus collects shells for later use," Finn said.
shells had been chopped in half and tossed into the
"When it's transporting it, it's not getting any
ocean. During dive trips in Indonesia, Finn and
protection from it. It's that collecting it to use it later
Norman filmed instances of a veined octopus selecting
that is unusual."
a suitable coconut half-shell. The octopus would
The researchers conclude that the veined
empty the sand out of it and hug it under its body. It
octopus probably once used seashells in a similar
would then transport the shell up to 65 feet away. The
fashion. But this changed once humans began cutting
animal then looked for a second half-shell. After
coconuts in half and discarding the shells into the
finding it, the octopus would place the two halves
ocean. The octopuses, Finn said, now had a superior
together to form a spherical hiding spot.
shelter material.
The veined octopus is not alone in its toolgathering behavior. Various vertebrate species have
demonstrated the ability to use common objects in
future use. Other scientists, however, could define it
creative ways. Elephants, for example, adapt branches
differently. Therefore, it's difficult to say whether the
into clubs for swatting insects. Sea otters use stones to
film is the first evidence of tool use in invertebrates.
crack open the shells of their prey. Asian monkeys
Still, Robson concluded, the findings are
called macaques have been known to steal a strand of a
interesting—and significant. They reveal just how
person's hair to floss their teeth.
capable of complex behavior the veined octopus is, he
But is Finn and Norman's film the first
evidence of an invertebrate employing a tool?
According to scientists, that is a tough question
said.
"Octopuses have always stood out as appearing
to be particularly intelligent invertebrates," Robson
to answer. Simon Robson is an associate professor of
said. "They have a fairly well-developed sense of
tropical biology at James Cook University in Australia.
vision, and they have a fairly intelligent brain. So I
Robson said scientists debate exactly how to define
think it shows the behavioral capabilities that these
"tool use" in the animal kingdom. Finn and Norman
organisms have."
defined a tool as an object carried or maintained for
Dictionary
bizarre (adjective) odd; strange
invertebrate (noun) an animal without a spinal column
maneuver (verb) to make something move in a certain way
organism (noun) a living thing
propulsion (noun) the process of driving or moving something forward
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1. According to the article, why is the film of veined
octopuses carrying coconut shells significant?
A. Because it shows that the veined octopus is able to
find shelter in the ocean
B. Because it proves that the veined octopus has a
well-developed sense of vision
C. Because it reveals that the veined octopus is
capable of complex behavior
D. Because it proves that the veined octopus lives in
the waters near Indonesia
2. Which of these must happen third?
A. The veined octopus empties the coconut shell.
B. The veined octopus drags the coconut shell to a
location.
C. The veined octopus hugs the coconut shell to its
body.
D. The veined octopus selects a coconut shell.
3. Which is the closest synonym for the word maneuver?
A. Stagger
B. Improvise
C. Operate
D. Waver
4. Which of these is a statement of opinion?
A. Some elephants adapt branches into clubs for
swatting insects.
B. Simon Robson is a professor of tropical biology in
Australia.
C. Two researchers filmed veined octopuses in
Indonesia.
D. Octopuses are the most fascinating invertebrates to
study.
5. Which question is not answered by the article?
A. How is the octopus different from the hermit crab
in its gathering of shelter material?
B. Why is Finn and Norman's film of the octopus'
coconut-gathering behavior significant?
C. How many dive trips in Indonesia did Finn and
Norman take to film veined octopuses?
D. Who is credited with first documenting the veined
octopus' ability to utilize a tool?
6. What is this article mainly about?
A. The sophisticated behavior of various vertebrates
B. An ongoing debate among scientists about how to
define "tool use" in the animal kingdom
C. The typical job responsibilities of a research
biologist
D. An octopus that gathers coconut shells to use later
in the construction of shelters
7. Which passage from the article best supports the
opinion that other animals are at least as intelligent as the
veined octopus?
D. "What makes it different from a hermit crab is this
octopus collects shells for later use," Finn said.
8. The article states: The octopuses, Finn said, now had a
A. "Octopuses have always stood out as appearing to
be particularly intelligent invertebrates," Robson
said.
superior shelter material. Which would be the closest
antonym for the word superior?
A. Inferior
B. Asian monkeys called macaques have been known
B. Desirable
to steal a strand of a person's hair to floss their
C. Humane
teeth.
D. Complicated
C. To "jog across the sea floor," the veined octopus
engages in a bizarre form of propulsion.
Opinion Question:
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this
statement. The octopus carried a coconut shell to use later. Scientists say it is using a tool. Are scientists right to
say this? (5 points)
Thought Question: Write a summary of today's article. (5 points)
Math- Each arm on an octopus is 15 centimeters long. One inch is the same as 2 1/2 centimeters. How long is each
arm on the coconut octopus in units of inches? (2 points)