Revolutionary insights from ‘Secrets Of The Octopus’

To celebrate Earth Day, National Geographic produced an amazing new series called “Secrets of the Octopus.” It offers an extraordinary glimpse into the world of one of the ocean’s most unique and enigmatic creatures. Narrated by Paul Rudd and produced by James Cameron, this docuseries explores the remarkable cognitive, behavioral and physiological properties of octopuses and presents groundbreaking discoveries that advance our understanding of their secret lives.

Secrets of the octopus

“Secrets of the Octopus” takes audiences on a deep dive into the lives of these aliens, showcasing their ability to camouflage, manipulate objects and engage in complex problem-solving tasks. With three hearts, blue blood, and brains that wrap around their esophagus, octopuses are presented not only as creatures of the deep, but also as masterful survivors whose intelligence rivals that of many land animals.

I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but one of the amazing facts shared in the series is how octopuses can change their genetic makeup in response to environmental challenges, a trait that underlines their adaptability and evolutionary ingenuity.

A significant portion of the series is dedicated to capturing behavior that has never been filmed before, giving viewers an unprecedented look at how octopuses interact with their environment and other species. This includes their unique reproductive strategies, in which female octopuses sacrifice their lives for the next generation, and their ability to ‘think’ with their arms, each of which has a mind of its own.

Paul Rudd’s narration adds a layer of warmth and humanity to the series, inviting viewers to become deeply involved in the story. His enthusiasm for the subject is palpable, expressing his awe and admiration for the abilities of the octopuses and the scientists who study them.

Dr. Alex Schnell

I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Alex Schnell to talk about the series and her love for octopuses. She is a National Geographic researcher who has focused on the complex memory mechanisms of cephalopods: octopus, squid and cuttlefish. She also knows that when people understand nature, they become intrinsically motivated to preserve it. That is why she is driven to participate in these types of projects.

I asked Dr. Schnell what first sparked her interest in octopuses. “From an early age I spent all my time at the beach, poking around in rock pools. When I was about five, I had my first interaction with a common Sydney octopus,” she replied. “This octopus seemed as curious about me as I was about him and reached out to touch my hand – it was my first ‘ET’ moment and it sparked my interest in pursuing a career path in marine sciences and later comparative cognition.”

She explained that she had recently published a study on self-control in squids, in which she adapted the infamous Stanford Marshmallow Test to investigate whether squids could delay gratification for a better but delayed food reward. The study went viral, reaching a readership of more than a billion readers in its first week and even getting a feature on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It was the mass exposure of this research that brought the production team of “Secrets of the Octopuses” to her.

Personally, I am fascinated by marine life and have always been particularly intrigued by octopuses. I asked Dr. Schnell to share one of the most surprising behaviors she observed in octopuses during her research. She said she is always amazed at how quickly octopuses learn to trust human divers. “Imagine that you are a creature with no skeleton, no shield, no teeth, and no claws to protect yourself, and despite this immense vulnerability, you let your guard down and rely on an alien being (me) ten times your size is like you!”

Octopuses are known for being exceptionally intelligent. Dr. Schnell shared evidence of their problem-solving skills, which she observed while on location for “Secrets of the Octopus.” She described how the coconut octopus is often seen carrying two coconut halves as a mobile home they can use for immediate protection when exposed in very arid, sandy landscapes.

“I was excited to see this behavior happen, but I got more than I bargained for,” she stated. “We came across a coconut octopus being threatened by an angry mantis shrimp. She tried to protect herself by putting her arms over her head, but the blow from a mantis shrimp can do a lot of damage (it can break aquarium glass!).”

She continued, “That’s when I saw she had an idea. She rushed to a scalloped shell, picked it up and dragged it back to its original spot. Then she used it as a shield! It was such an elegant example of her taking a complex issue and coming up with an innovative solution.”

Dr. Schnell has focused much of her professional life on conservation efforts. She noted how many people see octopuses as bizarre, alien creatures, but they also exhibit traits we can identify with. “With our series we show the vulnerability, intelligence and ability of octopuses to feel emotions. These qualities break down the barrier of ‘otherness’ and help evoke emotions of empathy and compassion. I hope viewers will be able to identify with the octopus more and love them the way I do – and research shows that people want to protect what we love.”

There is still much to learn. Dr. Schnell said she has projects in the pipeline to investigate elements of memory and future planning in octopuses, as well as whether they have the ability to experience positive emotions.

Celebrate Earth Day

“Secrets of the Octopus” also shines a spotlight on the ethical challenges of octopus research. The US Animal Welfare Act does not protect octopuses, a point used in the series to discuss broader issues of marine wildlife conservation and the ethical treatment of non-vertebrate intelligence.

The series is a compelling story that interweaves scientific research with storytelling in a way that National Geographic in particular excels at. It illuminates the hidden lives of octopuses and encourages viewers to consider the complexity of these creatures and the mysterious, often invisible world they live in.

Part of National Geographic’s ‘Secrets Of…’ franchise, this series continues the tradition of compelling, thought-provoking natural history programming that is as educational as it is visually spectacular. “Secrets of the Octopus” premieres on National Geographic on Sunday, April 21. All episodes will be available to stream on Disney+ from April 22.