# National University of Singapore octopus research

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/national-university-of-singapore-octopus-research
> Updated: 2026-11-05T21:00:00.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore, led by marine biologist Wenci Xin, have published findings in the Journal of Experimental Biology regarding how octopuses navigate narrow openings. The study focused on the Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the Mexican Four-eyed Octopus (Octopus maya).

By using the distance between the eyes to measure the size of the cartilaginous capsule protecting the central nervous system, the team observed that these animals can pass through gaps smaller than their body circumference. The research indicates that octopuses employ different movement strategies depending on the size of the opening. For larger holes, the animals tend to probe the opening with one arm before using multiple arms to pull the head and mantle through. For smaller holes, the octopuses typically push all eight arms through the opening before following with the rest of the body.

The study highlights that because octopuses lack a rigid skeleton, they can alter their body shape to pass through tiny gaps, much like water flowing through a crack.

## Claims

- Octopuses can squeeze through openings smaller than their body circumference. (reported by 4 sources)
- The research was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology (JEB). (reported by 4 sources)
- The study tested Common Octopuses (Octopus vulgaris) and Mexican Four-eyed Octopuses (Octopus maya). (reported by 4 sources)
- Eye distance was used as a measure of the size of the hard cartilage capsule surrounding the central nervous system. (reported by 4 sources)
- The eye distance measured in the tested animals was between 15 and 35 millimeters. (reported by 4 sources)
- Octopuses used different strategies when encountering holes that were five millimeters larger versus five millimeters smaller than their eye distance. (reported by 4 sources)
- With larger holes, octopuses explored with one arm before filling the hole with more arms and pulling the head and mantle through. (reported by 4 sources)
- With smaller holes, octopuses pushed all arms through before the head and mantle followed. (reported by 4 sources)
- The stranding occurred near Ngawi and Cape Palliser on the North Island of New Zealand. (reported by 3 sources)
- The Department of Conservation initially reported at least 20 stranded animals. (reported by 3 sources)
- Project Jonah participated in the rescue efforts. (reported by 3 sources)
- A total of 43 pilot whales died in the mass stranding. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-11-05: Marine biologists study how octopuses navigate tight openings

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology reveals that octopuses use different techniques to squeeze through tight spaces, challenging previous assumptions about their physical limits.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marine-biologists-study-how-octopuses-navigate-tight-openings

### 2026-11-05: Pilot whales mass stranding on New Zealand coast

At least 43 pilot whales died after a mass stranding event on New Zealand’s North Island coast, despite rescue attempts by volunteers and Maori iwi.

27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-zealand-dozens-of-pilot-whales-strand-on-coast

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Cite as: National University of Singapore octopus research. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/national-university-of-singapore-octopus-research