Octopus VS Man - The Shell Game - Object Permanence Experiment

In today’s experiment, we take a look at the octopus’s ability to understand that an object is still there even when it is out of sight. Object permanence. We do this by providing Dennis, our octopus, with a fun little exercise. We show our octopus a delicious snack, and then hide it under one of the three cups. If he's still interested in locating the snack once it's hidden, it’s a good sign that he is aware that the fish is still there. Following the cup that contains the snack also shows us that he has a good concept of object permanence. This experiment also gives us an opportunity to observe how well an octopus is able to concentrate on a particular exercise without losing focus.
The trials shown in this video are the first five rounds for this particular octopus. We continued to run this exercise for a little over a month with three different octopuses. The results were fairly similar with each octopus.
In this video, we increase the number of moves by one each round.
In the first round, we make a single movement with the cups.
In the second round, we made two moves.
In the third round of this video, it was supposed to be three moves but the octopus got the best of the handler and snatched the fish away before he could manage to reset.
We repeated this in the fourth round and the final round was the most difficult trial, with a total of four moves.
The results at the end of the month were pretty convincing. We'll post them below for those of you that are interested in the details.
Correct Selections/Total Trials
Octopus 1
RD1 - 22/25
RD2 - 18/25
RD3 - 17/25
RD4 - 13/25
Octopus 2
RD1 - 20/25
RD2 - 19/25
RD3 - 15/25
RD4 - 12/25
Octopus 3
RD1 - 23/25
RD2 - 18/25
RD3 - 11/25
RD4 - 13/25
As the difficulty increased, so did the errors. There was no sign at any time that the octopus was not aware of the food's existence after it was hidden. Simply placing the cups in the experiment tank without showing them any food did not get their attention in any way after their initial interaction with the cups.
We hope you enjoyed this video and look forward to sharing more with all of you!

[@northstarsmith6798]

I can just imagine Dennis rubbing his tentacles together like we rub our hands together in anticipation of a challenge. However, can we assume that he can just smell the cup the fish is under?

[@DrWakey]

Same thought here.

[@resveries_]

i'd thought of that too, but since he didn't pick the right cup every time, maybe not? also, i know octopuses can smell things by touching them, but idk how good their sense of smell is without physical contact... is it even possible for an octopus to smell something without touching it???

[@paulacoyle5685]

@@resveries_ yes they smell molecules in the water but since he’s had fish in the other cups the smell may have misled him a few times. So I’m not sure what the experiment proves. He has to be completely separated from the item except visually and then has to indicate where the item went.

[@helpmefortheloveofshrek6623]

@@paulacoyle5685 I guess the point that this video is trying to let us know is that the octopus is able to realize that the fish doesn’t disappear even though it can no longer see it under the cup, which is what object permanence is.

[@ct.widget2847]

I love how he flicked his arms up before each attempt like " see, nothing up my sleeve, I got this!" No dummy!

[@xXOFrannieOXx]

Must have been thinking: Silly human putting the cups up side down, let me correct that. And do it perfectly to. Didnt know an octopus could have a sence of humor. Good one

[@pk_infone6974]

This octopus is smarter then me during any test

[@debshep8141]

If Dennis started stacking those cups I was going to lose it!!!💖

[@JWildberry]

I thought the shell game was impressive, and then I got to the end. He's better at tidying up after himself than most humans are!

[@NewMessage]

Now train HIM to run the grift, and he'll own the reef by Wednesday.

[@Avian98X]

The syncing of the bass drop to the "dance moves" is beyond genius

[@alestersarwyckiii2052]

It’s unintentional.

[@Avian98X]

@@alestersarwyckiii2052 Yeah..... I think I only meant at 0:40

[@keithallver2450]

There is a thinking, reasoning mind at work. Octopus's are very interesting and unique creatures.

[@bionic-tale4313]

With Octopuses having high intellect, I'm surprised that they have lower sapience than Dolphins.

[@jasonblalock4429]

The problem is that Octopuses don't live very long. Five years is the max for giants, and 1-2 years is all these little guys get. So they don't have much opportunity to learn and build wisdom. Dolphins, otoh, live for decades, so their WIS can go much higher. Also, Dolphins are social and learn from each other, while octopuses are generally solitary, which also limits them.

[@bionic-tale4313]

@@jasonblalock4429 Yeah, that's very true.

[@Blaze-ko3ts]

It’s a shame these amazing creatures don’t live very long

[@scootermom1791]

They don't?

[@notsnackbar]

​@@scootermom1791average adult lifespan of 2 years. Very good chance Dennis has passed since the original comment was posted.

[@scootermom1791]

@@notsnackbar Wow! That's too bad. Do larger octopuses live longer?

[@BeelySalasBlair-uy5wn]

👀💭🌌😆

[@Frei_Raum]

So, he also has a sense of symmetry.

[@TNaizel]

The round it losts was the only round where you switched two empty cups. I think it got used to the fact that you always switched an empty cup and a cup containing the snack, when you left the cup containing the snack alone and switched two empty cups it got confused and started following the wrong one.

[@marounazou8198]

This handler of yours must be quite a brave fellow...I would not dream of keeping my hand in a tank for so long with such a hungry and clever octopus as Dennis the Menace

[@BeelySalasBlair-uy5wn]

🤗🐙😂

[@davidid3146]

Although it may be inhumane..... I feel like it would be a better test if the octopus was unable to interact with the cups prior to the movement being finished. Like keep it in a separate glass container so that they can see and track the food but not get to it immediately. This would be a bit closer to real game, but this was still awesome to watch :)

[@donnachaban2068]

I was a docent many years ago at Steinhardt Aquarium (now California Academy of Sciences). We always had fun playing hide & seek with the resident octopus. They are - as we know - smart and wiley.

[@sandwitch4300]

He seems to shoo off! the human each game 😄. I think he is helping prep the cups ready for another snack 😋

[@mookyo9602]

Dennis is a bit of a perfectionist Hahahahaha loved that! Lol this is the coolest stuff! Nice job buddy!🐙😀✌

[@6teezkid]

Dennis clearly loves to play games. In the one with the puddy tat video, he didn’t like being ignored by the cat and did all he could to get cat’s attention. He even used psychology by hiding again…knowing that might pique the cat’s interest. Didn’t know the cat was asleep, though. 🐈 😁

[@violetvalentine999]

what a wonderfully conducted experiment! so much love goes into each & every one of these videos ;w; the shell game set piece is adorable! this was so charming... goodness, the brilliance & curiosity of cephalopods never ceases to amaze me. (i LOVED how dennis reorganized the cups when he was done. now that is an octopus who does not take half measures!) it makes me so happy that these creatures i adore so much are in such good hands as yours

[@peteskyrunner4845]

I like how he cleverly engulfs the whole of the bottom of the cup as if he were catching something in the wild in case the 'prey' is live. True intelligence there.

[@ravenmorrigana1093]

Very interesting. On the first couple of rounds, I thought he was somehow tasting or sensing the food, because he seemed to be touching all the cups before actually taking one. Seeing the results of each octopus for each round, I would hazard to say they're trying their best to keep track of the three and four moves. I wonder if making the moves faster or slower would affect their ability to follow along. Because maybe moving faster triggers the hunting aspects, causing them to pay more attention to the particular cup they want.

[@flexwashington638]

1:53 he snatched that thing right up

[@erinnicole2018]

"I'm tired of your shenanigans human, gimme that!"

[@jsullivan2112]

His name is Dennis, that cracked me up. Love that so much!

[@techgirl517]

A another video displaying how smart octopuses are. Fantastic 🥰

[@KeKe-bv8qv]

Aaaaw, he put the cups back in place. That's cute but also a bit scary that he has the level of intelligence to care about leaving things how he found them. There's plenty of humans who aren't capable of that.

[@abeminecraft1132]

First prize: 3 beautiful plastic cups! Perfect for octo-décor. Also the snacks were nice, thanks :)

[@outboundflight4455]

The fact that he intentionally allied all the cups ar the end with the right spacing between them at the end means he's very aware and competent and has reasoning.

[@karenc.3689]

Dennis you are brilliant!

[@StephenWitharose]

3:20 The way Dennis's body naturally follows suit to the evading human arm must be a built in instinct to hunting/giving chase to fleeing prey.

[@lizzparis9060]

Brian’s Hella Cool! Enjoyed you’re Octotunes!

[@Aineb1039]

I like it when he reaches up to you all excited he stretches his tentacles up to you.

[@SophiaB.0519]

Dennis is why I am alive still during the end of term right now

[@angeliner59]

I wonder what would have happened if you would have placed a reward in 2 cups but only would have shown him one cup with food in it. Would he have found it? I enjoyed this experiment and Dennis tremendously!

[@nancymoore7137]

I enjoy watching these videos and learning more about octopi the music is fun to listen to

[@kayumust]

aaahhhh ! cuteness overload !

[@zenlizard1850]

My favorite was when Dennis grabbved the fish before the cup could be repositioned -"You're not foolin' ME, human!"

[@TheCBC1984]

LOL they have to put a barrier for round 4! and then turning the cups right-side up! what a guy! "Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require it." - st francis

[@ibnyahud]

while it's plausible seeing the object was part, I would think it's hard to rule out the variables of other stronger sensory input such as smell which may have made the treat basically just as revealed even without sight.

[@DaveElectric]

He needs to go Mortal Kombat on this guy. TEST YOUR SIGHT!

[@ImCroozy]

I love the end where he puts them all up

[@traderalex655]

Dennis for President!

[@megazion34]

I honestly don’t see the octopus losing this ever seeing how slow you move the cups easy to process

[@gregoryallen0001]

😐

[@Annie-ZA]

BRILLIANT! Loved that game! 👌😍💖🥳

[@yali2926]

You really shouldn't miss the opportunity to make an experiment called "octupus game"

[@ReisigSeeds]

I think he enjoyed this game!

[@KeKe-bv8qv]

The drunk who won't leave the bar at closing time.

[@womanofsubstance8735]

Yup, ya sure fooled him! He just let you win one. ;-)

[@debrataylor1813]

I thought he may have been smelling the food but by missing the one that leads me to think it’s not smell alone anyway.

[@Mpcarter715]

Video Suggestion: build a boat smaller than the octopus make it go and then make the octopus attack it along with using a gopro on the boat of some cool scenes.

[@cassandra5390]

The octopus actually punched his hand set on the 3rd test attempt. That's so funny.

[@stackit303]

I doubt the octopus found it much of a challenge.

[@pramodkumar4126]

Is it possible that it can sense the the food out side from the glass

[@monikag1323]

LMAO!!!! I thought it was on the far left in the 4th one and he went for the middle. That little flipper outsmarted me!!! I am DY-ING!!!!

[@BeelySalasBlair-uy5wn]

The House Always Wins 😂🐙🎲🐚🌰

[@earthcat]

Dennis is a sharp-eyed boy

[@prettyp42]

Yahoo new video! I love this experiment and dennis so clever and sooo cute! I'd love to stick my hand in and just let the octopus wrap his tentacles, octolab could you make a video showing your interaction with the octopuses? 😄🤗😊

[@dftfire]

I think in most cases, he was going for the cup you touched last

[@Sadiquecat]

Could it sent the food under the cups ? Neglecting visual confusion and just "know" where the food was regardless of seeing how the cups have been shuffled ? ^^'

[@lindawillis2746]

What fantastic creatures they are!!

[@ThePowerman121]

I thought I had gotten that last one wrong when the octopus went for the one in the middle.

[@derrickbailey9821]

They should have given Dennis a coin so he could outsmart the human

[@lizzparis9060]

Comparing a Dolphin w/an Octopus hmmm 🤔

[@mikedtw]

at 0:40 seconds it looks like Dennis wants you to stay and play, never mind the game! :-)

[@44yvo]

He reached up every time the hand disappeared!

[@GroovlyDo]

There a lot more is going on than eyesight, try playing the game showing Occy cup with food drop a black out screen , move cups, raise the blackout screen and see how fast Occy finds correct cup.

[@jeepfvr]

AWWWhhhhh, this is great. Smarter than the people on the street who play this game.

[@The1stKelvin]

This octopus is adorable

[@1000guy1]

Do one where he meets the daleks

[@chelseaadams5454]

Note to self: Bring octopus to Vegas.

[@Charlie-Em]

Do y'all ever give it sensory toys? Like a CMY cube?

[@DtylerComedy]

I'm sure it could smell the fish as well

[@ruziziocto1726]

So intelligent

[@scootermom1791]

Do octopuses have a sense of smell? Could he have smelled which cup the food was under?

[@alexandershockey901]

now have him react to magic tricks lol

[@thomas1699]

You don't suppose that Dennis can smell/taste the tidbit of fish, whichever cup it is under?

[@bobbidehaan3401]

Snack too small. Gimme a bigger one,,,please!

[@grego15]

I'm sure he can just smell what cup the food is under ....

[@cool270777]

he can smell the food

[@paulacoyle5685]

Can’t he smell / taste its proximity? Since he can smell it in the water I’m not sure this shows anything about his ability to comprehend object permanence.

[@Kwisten050]

Couldn't Dennis be tasting the fish with his tentacles? He could be zeroing in on it that way, with chemoreception.

[@lukeandrew3335]

Is he not just 'tasting' the water escaping from the bottom of the cups? No memory required.

[@CutterDriftwood]

Isn't it "Octopi" rather than "Octopuses"?

[@kayleekaminski9389]

Dennis is super cute 🥰

[@messageinabottle8978]

Interesting thing. Humans are like the Octopus Shell seeking excepting that humans are creators and build their own homes. In the natural habitat of earth humans facing the elements and nature could not survive in their current evolution without clothing and shelter, their, "shells"👀🔍😁

[@RocLobo358]

I didn't know he was called Dennis

[@StoneyRerootkit]

Shell Game❤ Dennis is Ready to Appear on The Price is Right😊

[@dggydddy59]

What's happening when the man takes his arm out and something pulls on several of Dennis's arms, momentarily lifting his arms and himself up?? You can see this quite clearly at least a couple of times. What's going on there?

[@sternamc919sterna3]

Just guessing that these are edited sections of several videos. The final is probably in reverse😉

[@introspectiver1787]

Glass or plastic film preventing the octopus from reaching the cups before ready.

[@Smokeslikeachimney]

I want an octo 🐙 🥰

[@44yvo]

A pity he doesn't have a face. I bet he is smiling.

[@williamgaskill9838]

Don't they have good sense of smell? They could just find the fish through smell.

[@vitorvttek]

Octolings be like

[@melissasalasblair5273]

So cute lol

[@axjagfilms]

Guess its Squid Game.

[@AUTOMANAI-k3s]

Smell shell

[@extraterrestrial7424]

Easy, the one you touch last is always the booty.

[@luisamadrigal4919]

Humans lost

[@luisamadrigal4919]

Lol humans