Octopus limb behavior has been clarified in a scientific study. The research, carried out between 2007 and 2015 in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, examined video clips of octopuses crawling, swimming, and performing daily activities. Results showed that octopuses did not favor a left or right side, unlike humans who are often right- or left-handed. Instead, three species studied showed a clear preference for using their four front arms in about 60 percent of movements. Experts from the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History explained that all arms were capable of many tasks, but the back arms were more often used for walking and rolling. The findings, published this week in Scientific Reports, represent the first large field study of octopus limb actions.

The study required careful review of thousands of short video clips. This was difficult because octopuses are shy animals that usually hide in dens. Researchers reported that each arm contained 100 to 200 suckers, which worked as powerful sensory organs similar to human noses, lips, and tongues. Scientists said this created strong backup ability, since an octopus could continue functioning even after losing an arm to a predator. Specialists described the study as an important contribution to marine science and suggested it may guide future research in biomechanics and robotics. The results highlighted the versatility and resilience of octopuses in their natural environment.