An octopus displaying a dominant stance, with spread limbs and dark colorationDAVID SCHEEL (VIA EUREKALERT)
Octopuses use color and postural changes to communicate and potentially avoid conflict, according to a study published last month (January 28) in Current Biology. The findings suggest that the animals have much more complex social interactions than previously thought.
Observing more than 180 interactions between shallow-water octopuses (Octopus tetricus) at Jervis Bay in southeastern Australia, researchers from Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage found that some octopuses stood up tall, stretched out their limbs, and darkened their skin coloration on meeting another octopus. “We suspect this behavior makes the octopus appear as large and conspicuous as it can,” study coauthor David Scheel told New Scientist.
Faced with this intimidating display, some octopuses would shrink back, turn pale, and retreat. But when two octopuses maintained a similarly ...
