Octopus Multiple Brains

Most people know octopuses have multiple arms, but did you know they also have multiple brains? The octopus brain is unique, not only by its size, the largest of any invertebrate and as big as a dog’s brain but also by not being centralized in one location. Instead, their brain is distributed across their body, with nearly two-thirds of their neurons in their eight arms. An octopus has, essentially, nine brains.

This decentralized brain allows octopuses to process information and control movements independently in each arm. Imagine your limbs having mini-brains, acting autonomously while collaborating with the rest of your body. While each arm can act independently - able to touch and move without direction - the centralized brain can also exert top-down control when needed.

This unique neural architecture equips octopuses with remarkable problem-solving abilities. They can unscrew lids to access food, mimic other animals to evade predators, and even plan ahead. These soft-bodied creatures showcase a masterclass in adaptation and intelligence, defying traditional notions of what a brain should look like.

As we marvel at the octopus's extraordinary abilities, we are reminded of the endless possibilities in the natural world. Their distributed brains challenge our understanding of intelligence and consciousness, leaving us to ponder the potential for radically different forms of cognition.

Craving more? Check out the source behind this Brain Snack!