Ocean wonders

Can octopuses use tools? 10 incredible facts about these creatures

Image: Maximillian Conacher

Have you ever wondered how octopuses live? How do they hunt, feed, and escape predators? They may not be the cutest animals on Earth, but it turns out they are able to do incredible things! Recent discoveries have revealed that octopuses are much more intelligent than we ever thought. These creatures can evaluate options, strategize, and even recognize other animals, including humans! If you want to learn more, join us as we reveal these 10 surprising secrets about the life of octopuses!

Image: Ashleigh Joy Photography

Today, we can find several species of octopus in our oceans, but this doesn't mean that they are something recent. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Octopuses have been around for a long, long time. The oldest known relative of cephalopods dates back about 330 million years. That's a really long time ago! This ancient fossil, discovered in what is now Fergus County, Montana, belonged to a creature with ten arms.

So much time navigating the seas has served them well, allowing octopuses to develop skills we humans can only dream of.

Image: Roger Darnell

Chameleons might be famous for their camouflage skills, but they're not the only ones with this superpower. Blending into the surroundings and becoming practically invisible is an art practiced by octopuses, too.

Even though they have many arms to hide -8, to be exact- this is not a problem for octopuses when it comes to camouflage. Octopus skin is quite different from ours: they have special cells called chromatophores that let them change not only the color of their skin but also the texture! And that's not all; this process only takes a couple of seconds, adapting their colors and textures to blend with sand, corals, rocks, and any other surface.

Image: Heidi Bruce

Octopuses not only blend in with the colors and shapes of their surroundings but can also mimic other creatures. That's right, they are masters of disguise.

Like a comic book villain who changes appearance to trick others, the mimic octopus can alter its color and shape to resemble other animals in its environment, often choosing to impersonate the shapes of the creatures most feared and avoided by predators.

This octopus can imitate, for example, a venomous sea snake by sporting stripes of different colors and wiggling its arms in a snake-like dance, copying both its appearance and behavior!

Image: Αντωνης Κοροτσάκης

To imitate and adapt, octopuses need to be aware of their surroundings and recognize different places and animals. And they do it.

Octopuses can recognize other sea creatures, and some research even suggests they might recognize humans. There have been documented cases where researchers return to visit the same octopus in the sea, and the octopus often develops a gradual trust in them. Amazing!

There's a reason for all this: besides their excellent vision and sensory perception, octopuses also have an exceptional memory that helps them retain and use new information.

Image: Aaron Burden

Certain abilities are clear signs of high intelligence in animals, and using tools is one of those.

Octopuses use objects from their surroundings, adapting them to suit their needs. Take the veined octopus, for example. This species collects shells to use as a shelter when escaping predators or as a shield when dealing with difficult prey. Amazing, right?

But that's not all! These octopuses have also been observed gathering shells and carrying them for future use. This behavior suggests not just intelligence and good memory, but also the ability to plan ahead!

Image: Sunira Moses

All that knowledge and skills are packed into a huge brain.

As we've seen, octopuses offer much more than just 8 arms and an extensive color palette. These animals also have impressive intelligence and a highly complex nervous system, which is reflected in the large size of their brains. In fact, their brain-to-body ratio is one of the highest among invertebrates. In other words, their brain is really big, considering their body proportions.

Given all that this creature is capable of, the size of its brain is no surprise.

Image: Kostas Morfiris

Octopuses are great at problem-solving. They not only learn from their experiences but also remember the knowledge, locations, and animals they encounter, using this information for future situations.

All this makes them great learners and excellent performers. In different experiments, both in captivity and in the wild, octopuses have demonstrated their ability to open jars, navigate through mazes with ease, and elaborate complex strategies for hunting, among other surprising behaviors. Many octopuses, for example, hide near the paths of passing crabs and wait for the perfect moment to launch a surprise attack. A real ambush!

Image: rivage

A single heart isn't enough to keep a large brain, a mutable body, and 8 long tentacles irrigated.

That is why octopuses have the privilege of possessing no less than 3 hearts, all with a well-defined function. 2 of these hearts are responsible for pumping blood to the gills for oxygenation. Then, the third heart, the systemic heart, circulates the oxygenated blood throughout the rest of the body.

Want to know more? The third heart stops beating when the octopus swims!

Image: Yaselyn Perez

There's a lot we can say about octopuses, but calling them selfish isn't one of them. Why? Well, let's see.

When octopus mothers lay their eggs, they reserve all their focus, dedication, and energy to caring for them. The mother cleans, protects, and arranges the eggs, never taking her eyes off them. In doing so, it abandons all other activities, even stopping eating entirely.

Unfortunately, by not eating, the octopus becomes weak and debilitated. As a consequence, once the eggs hatch, the mother often doesn't survive.

Image: engin akyurt

Octopuses might not be royalty, but they do have blue blood! That's right; these creatures never stop surprising us. First, they have 3 hearts, and now they show us blood that's literally blue!

How is it different from our blood? Human blood contains hemoglobin, which has iron and gives it its characteristic red color. On the other hand, the blood that circulates in the incredible bodies of octopuses contains a protein called hemocyanin, which is what makes the difference. Hemocyanin contains copper, which gives the blood its blue color when it's oxygenated.

Colors and what they represent

The meaning of colors: What shades say about clothes, décor, and mood

Colors aren’t just decoration: they’re tiny storytellers. They set the mood at dinner, change how we feel about our clothes, and can even trick us into thinking a room is bigger (or smaller) than it really is. Here’s a fun tour through ten of the most common colors and what they say in our daily lives. Warning: once you read this, you might never look at your closet—or your living room—the same way again.

Image: Filip Mishevski

Red is the show-off of the color wheel. It’s bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. Slip on a red dress or tie, and suddenly you’re the main character in the room. Restaurants often use red in their logos because it makes us hungry—think ketchup labels, pizza signs, and soda cans. Coincidence? Definitely not.

In home décor, red can be a little tricky. A red wall screams, "Look at me!" A splash of red, though—like a lamp, pillow, or rug—can give a room instant warmth and energy.

Image: Merani Cosme

Blue is that friend who always calms things down. Think of the ocean or a clear summer sky—just looking at blue makes us breathe a little easier. Studies show it can even lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate.

In fashion, a blue suit or dress shirt has "trustworthy" written all over it. It’s a classic for job interviews and first dates, because it makes people feel safe around you.

Image: Larisa Brita

Yellow is sunshine in a crayon box. It’s the color of smiley faces, lemonade stands, and those sticky notes that keep your whole desk organized. Wear yellow, and people immediately think "cheerful."

When decorating, yellow brightens up any space. A pale yellow kitchen feels warm and inviting, like grandma’s house on Sunday morning. Too much, though, and it can be overstimulating—babies have even been shown to cry more in bright yellow rooms.

Image: Junior REIS

Green is the color of life itself. It’s the grass under our feet, the leaves above our heads, and the money in our wallets (if we’re lucky). Green clothes often give off a grounded, approachable vibe—perfect for that "I’m relaxed but stylish" look.

In home décor, green works like a neutral while still feeling lively. Olive green couches are surprisingly forgiving of snack spills, and sage walls look fresh without being overwhelming.

Image: Peter Fitzpatrick

Purple has been associated with royalty for centuries, and it still has that mysterious, slightly dramatic air. A purple scarf or tie says, "I’m bold, but I also read poetry."

At home, purple can be tricky but rewarding. Deep purple curtains bring elegance and luxury, while lighter lavender shades are soothing and romantic. A purple accent wall? That’s the kind of choice that makes your neighbors whisper, "Wow, they must be creative."

Image: Erik Mclean

Orange is like red’s more approachable cousin. It’s energetic but playful, the color of pumpkins, sunsets, and every construction cone you’ve ever tried to avoid. Wear orange, and you’ll never blend into the background—it’s the ultimate "notice me" shade.

In décor, orange works best in doses. A burnt orange sofa pillow can make a beige couch look exciting instead of boring. Pair orange with neutrals, and it feels warm and cozy, like a fall afternoon.

Image: Andrey Zvyagintsev

Black never goes out of style. In fashion, it’s the ultimate slimming trick, but it’s also chic and elegant.

At home, black adds drama and contrast. A black lamp or table grounds a space, making lighter colors pop. Too much, however, can feel a little cave-like—unless you’re going for that "Batman’s lair" vibe.

Image: Hans

White is all about freshness and simplicity. Wear a crisp white shirt, and you look instantly polished—even if you got dressed in three minutes flat. The downside? White attracts stains like magnets attract fridge doors.

In decoration, white walls are like a blank canvas. They make rooms look bigger and brighter, but they can also feel a little… sterile. Add texture—like a fluffy white rug or a cozy throw blanket—and suddenly white feels welcoming instead of hospital chic.

Image: Doyo Hermann

Pink has traveled a long way from being "just for girls." These days, a pink shirt or dress can look bold, stylish, and surprisingly powerful. Wear pink, and you’re basically saying, "I don’t take myself too seriously—but I look good doing it."

In décor, pink can soften a room without making it feel childish. A dusty rose couch feels trendy and chic, while blush pink walls give off a warm, welcoming glow. Add gold accents, and suddenly pink is less "cotton candy" and more "cocktail lounge."

Image: Mary Skrynnikova

Brown doesn’t usually grab the spotlight, but it’s everywhere—coffee, chocolate, leather jackets, and comfy boots. Wear brown, and you instantly look approachable, dependable, and maybe just a little outdoorsy.

In homes, brown works like a cozy blanket. Wooden furniture, tan couches, or even a rustic rug instantly make a room feel grounded and warm. It’s the color equivalent of comfort food: steady, reliable, and always satisfying.