3. Octopus
Octopuses are the eight-armed Houdinis of the animal world, with a remarkable ability to escape human confinement. According to scientists, these marine critters are some of the most intelligent animals, with impressive traits that are found in only a few species in the world.
There are stories of octopuses figuring out how to escape tanks and even splashing water at overhead lights to turn them off. But researchers who’ve studied with octopuses say it’s not just that they are intelligent. They are aware.
Philosopher Stefan Linquist, who thoroughly studied octopus behavior in a lab, explained: “When you work with fish, they have no idea they’re in a tank. However, with octopuses, it’s totally different. They know that they’re inside this place and you’re outside it. Their behavior is affected by their awareness of captivity.”
Octopuses are also adept at using tools from their surroundings. Some species are known to collect and carry coconut shells to build shelters, while others carry the tentacles of the deadly Portuguese man-of-war as weapons.
