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Octopuses Fish Hunts, Punch Slackers in Multi-Species Teams

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image created by Steve Burgess with chatGPT 4o

image created by Steve Burgess with chatGPT 4o

Team Octopus

Octopuses use their many-arms to direct multi-species hunting parties. The cephalopods strategically decide when and where the group attacks.

  • Hunting groups include multiple fish species

  • Blue goatfish act as scouts, finding the best prey

  • Octopuses “punch” slackers and intruders

Result: fish get food hidden in crevices and octopuses save energy previously spent foraging. Future research will explore how octopuses utilize social cues on group hunts. Only a matter of time before they start running human businesses.

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