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National University of Singapore octopus research

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2026-11-05 22:23 UTC → 2026-11-06 07:43 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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