Octopus limb behavior has been clarified in a recent scientific investigation. The research, conducted between 2007 and 2015 in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, involved the analysis of video footage showing octopuses crawling, swimming, and performing daily movements. Findings indicated that octopuses did not favor a left or right side, unlike the human tendency toward right- or left-handedness. Instead, three studied species exhibited a marked inclination to employ their four forward limbs in approximately 60 percent of recorded actions. Experts from the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History emphasized that all arms were capable of complex activities, although the rear limbs were more often utilized for walking and rolling. The results, published in Scientific Reports this week, represent the first large-scale field study of octopus limb function and mark a significant advancement in the understanding of animal motor patterns.

The methodology involved meticulous review of thousands of short clips, an endeavor requiring patience due to the elusive nature of octopuses, which often remain hidden in ocean dens. Marine biologists stressed that each arm contained between 100 and 200 suckers functioning as sensory organs equivalent to human noses, lips, and tongues. This discovery suggested an extraordinary redundancy in limb capability, allowing survival even after predation incidents that result in the loss of an arm. Specialists described the research as a groundbreaking contribution to marine science, noting its potential to influence future studies on biomechanics and adaptive evolution. The study not only underscored the versatility of octopus limbs but also revealed the profound intricacy, resilience, and adaptability of these cephalopods, providing indispensable insights for marine biology and robotics.