1.3K Views 4 years ago

Study Finds Female Octopuses Fight Off Suiters by Throwing Debris

Author Bio

Abigail is a animal and food lover who decided a long time ago not to... Read More

A study documented the occurrence of female octopuses throwing debris to ward off male suitors.

The female octopuses were caught on camera using their tentacles to collect debris to throw at the offending males. Picking up items like shells, algae, and silt before launching them at the male octopus. This was used to thwart male harassment and unwanted mating attempts.

Research teams have observed this behavior since 2015. It is extremely rare to see any wild creature with the ability to throw objects. Let alone throw them at another creature.

Octopuses have been observed throwing items in a similar way when building and maintaining their dens but it is very rare to find them throwing objects as a line of defense. Researchers believe that certain ways of throwing objects have a social context to them. While other throws were an obvious attempt to keep another octopus away.

One female octopus threw objects at a harassing male octopus 11 times hitting him 5 times as he tried to dodge the hurled objects.

Researchers are still trying to understand just how much intellect is behind this odd habit. If the octopuses throw with intent or if they try to specifically aim at their target.