Octopus Squeeze Challenge - Will He Fit?

We're constantly being told that an octopus can fit through any hole. As long as he can fit his beak through a small space, his entire body will follow. We decided to test this out ourselves. Arnold was feeling confident on this day and was definitely up to the challenge. He's been a busy octopus lately here at Octolab.
Small Typo at 0.28 - It's 0.98" not 3.
In no way was the octopus in this video placed in harm's way at any time.
The octopus in this video weighs about 4 pounds (1.8 KG). He measures approximately 30 inches (76cm) from the tip of one arm to the tip of the opposite arm when he's stretched out.
The spaces he attempts to go through in this challenge are
0.70 inches (1.7cm)
0.79 inches (2cm)
0.98 inches (2.5cm)
1.18 inches (3cm)
1.38 inches (3.5cm)
For those of you that are interested in knowing the exact dimensions, the length of the rectangular space is 11 inches (28cm).

[@HBDuran]

Arnold and his barrel is a love story for the ages.

[@muskokamike127]

I thought his name was hank????

[@Aelea]

H.B. Duran This made me laugh so hard, cause I was having an emotional reaction to his giving up, before they [presumably] helped tilt the glass. I was gonna be so sad if they ended it with him just backing away longingly. I didn't realize he just wanted to cuddle up in there. Adorable.

[@LunaSeaDream]

Arnold proving the idea that if you don't like the system, just change the rules. He's kind of my hero right now.

[@suep9445]

Captain Kirk!

[@suep9445]

@Drakon590 😁

[@corres78]

It seems legit, if you have the brain of an Octopus and learn gender studies and pay lifelong for the student loan.

[@nicolecorallo2768]

he's just in love and a genius!

[@daisycate]

Exactly! !!

[@tyson31415]

It's Friday night and I'm cheering for an octopus... seems about right.

[@2percburke41]

Lmaaaaooo

[@laura.loverich]

Same, about a month later

[@leoni2211]

Laura Puth Lovrich same

[@rowynnecrowley1689]

Same, except it's Monday. But Monday is my Friday so...

[@laura.loverich]

@@rowynnecrowley1689 lmao what do you like live in Australia 🙃😂

[@clarascloset]

Superior problem solving skills. If you can’t go through, knock it out of the way.

[@freohr789]

I think it may have been more like "stare at my humans with sad puppy eyes until they remove the barrier for me" :b because even after he wasn't touching the barrier anymore it turns back into place (I guess it was either that or they _only_ returned it to its place, rather than also moved it out of the way) (because don't get me wrong I know he's perfectly intelligent and powerful enough to remove the barrier, it was just that once I saw it slide back into place it made me think whoever was testing him might have started to feel bad and moved it out of his way~ But the more I think about it it's also possible they only moved the barrier back!)

[@FirestormDDash]

@@freohr789 from what I can see is it held 3 tentacles on the sheet at all times that the pane was moving. Its a plastic piece on a wire, slid into a slot on the bottom of the tank. No side grooves, so once it lifted it out of the slot it swung freely and it just pushed it.

[@Aelea]

Syanne Bleu They helped him but that's hilarious.

[@elysafrancisco7240]

Cat: "If I fits, I sits." Octopus: "Hold my oyster..."

[@kitkatkiki677]

Elysa Francisco 💀💀💀💀

[@elysafrancisco7240]

@coc0s 47 other people disagree.

[@Satchelsbagoftricks]

@coc0s 153 people now disagree lol

[@katiobrien7854]

@coc0s Or not

[@katiobrien7854]

@coc0s or not

[@DeleriumLS]

The moral of the story: Don't ever play the Limbo game with an Octopus!

[@akuanaksehatgaming9081]

Becuz HE WILL WINNN

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

Or twister.

[@isabellahodge4162]

Nothing stands between Arnold and his barrel.

[@Snyper1188]

It didnt suprise me that Arnold would just powerlift the wall out of the way. He's a beast! And a smart one too!

[@LittleKitty22]

They are very intelligent. They know where they can fit their beaks through. And this one found another way to get to where he wanted to get to - clever octopus!

[@LittleKitty22]

True, that poor octopus! I thought that too, they never look comfortable when they squeeze through tight gaps that they only just about fit through.

[@dwaynegouw89]

the intelligence level is incredible, each time he sizes up the passage way as to not put himself at risk. its like he calculates his body mass and adjusts how he proceeds to move his body through. but the last time was hilarious, its like he looked over and just said naw i just going move this wall because i can lol

[@purplealice]

It breaks a lt our preconceptions to see him put a few tentacles through and then just pull himself through the gap. As the gap gets smaller, he figures out that he needs to protect his eyes by wrapping his mantle over them. And when he can't quite squeeze throught the gap, he takes the easy way out and moves the barrier. (I was half expecting him to climb over it.)

[@katiobrien7854]

That last one was painful to watch. Found myself squinting as if that would help.

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

I was worried it might get hurt trying to squeeze through. Then I feel like a jerk for doubting it when I know how smart octopuses are. Then it unlatched the door and I felt like an idiot for doubting. 🤦

[@mmwosu]

I kept worrying he’d scrape his eyes on the edge squeezing through. Seems like the only part of the body that isn’t extremely compressible

[@lorraineroberge5793]

Lol

[@lorraineroberge5793]

yes..me too

[@Cheezzepuff]

@@user-vn7ce5ig1z When the octopus places his tentacle through the hole, he uses the widest part of his tentacle to measure the space and determines if he has enough room to squeeze himself through it. This is why the scientists administrating the test knew he would not put himself into any harm. So in the last study, you see the octopus put 3 tentacles through the whole and stops to think about the problem, then he realizes that the hole is to small. So he backs away to study the problem and find another solution. Coming back when he figures out what that next solution was. They are ingenious creatures.

[@tranquilrabies]

6:18 "I'm not even playing with you people at this point" lol

[@Cupids_mutt]

Omg XD A+ FOR OCTOPUS

[@venum17]

Awwww he just loves that barrel so much 😊

[@loricerny5922]

4:30 So clever that he shielded his eyes.

[@onlyhuman1954]

Arnold is a slippery genuis! He deserves top prize for that last manoeuvre!! 🏆🔝❤️

[@emmsdaniels924]

Omg that was too funny, couldn’t squeeze through the 1.7cm so pushed it out of the way 🤣🤣

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

He didn't push it, he unlatched it form the top. 👍😂

[@S....]

Thank you for explanation.

[@DasMilC]

at the last one he was like: "okay, you got me, can't squeeze through there, but that's not gonna stop me from chillin in mah barrel"

[@borgxxxboy]

Arnold simply proving - when in doubt use more force -

[@regulus8518]

between his eyes is the only hard bit of cartilage in his body, he checks to see if his eyes can fit through the slot then he knows for sure he can pass through otherwise he wont even attempt passing the barrier

[@surabhi_kumari]

That Octi be like If you can't get through something then get it out of the way .

[@jz3277]

I am starting to like a octopus, maybe it’s time to sleep

[@SelBSinging]

Why do I feel like he could excel at gymnastics

[@vh_on_my_selah3875]

I don't see how I could ever eat calamari again! I've encountered octopus while diving a few times but never seen much more than swimming and going into holes in a reef. Looks like an Octolab binge night for me. Thanks for the channel.

[@Jason-hz6cm]

VH_on_MY_Selah I thought calamari was squid, maybe they are both calamari?

[@betweenthepoles]

It’s the octopus version of the Kobayashi Maru test! 😁😂

[@leeannyang2119]

Sort of thinking out of the box !?

[@dariusq8894]

Brute Force: For when all else fails.

[@raphaelalexandreyensen6291]

I was worried about that last one too, It was cool to see him Say F this noise I got this.

[@anitababacsi]

I like Arnold. He's so handsome and smart. ❤ 🐙 ❤ 🐙 ❤

[@tranquilrabies]

His smug demeanor says that he knows. Lol

[@FlyTyer1948]

Question of the day: Why did the octopus cross the tank?

[@marilynalvarez9951]

To get to his barrel of course "home sweet home"

[@limiv5272]

There's probably some food in the barrel

[@takutolovex]

He loves his barrel

[@SelBSinging]

To go home safely

[@Ethericrose]

Because its a "barrel" of laughs. 🐙🐚🌊

[@Godsloveministree]

I’m so in awe of how Handled the last one...he tried, failed, tried again, failed. Took a few seconds to analyze the situation......then figured out a different way to get through...That is so incredible! They’re so intelligent!!

[@daisycate]

Thank you so much for these videos. They are fascinating.

[@snadeen]

6:15 Nothing can stop him 😂😂😂

[@fisheatinweasel]

His short arm is growing by the day! Limbo music would have been awesome here :D Also, you mentioned the beak size, but you did not include its dimensions in the explanation. Is there a relationship between beak and eye size? Beak and mantle length? Beak and tentacle base diameter? In rounds 3 &4, Arnold seemed to be doing a "cat's whiskers" examination with his top arm.

[@francoisgrenier4919]

Superior intelligence at its finest! Just subbed after finding this channel. Brilliant work.👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👊🙏

[@great-grandmakirk8828]

He feels safe in his barrel. I enjoy these videos so much, thank you for sharing.

[@arnoldmayii3563]

Super amazing!

[@cakebam]

At the end, you guys wasted the opportunity to put the gangster glasses on him 😎😂

[@rhijulbec1]

Honestly? He looks pi$$ed!! I mean he looks like he's thinking ~ "Gahhhh! Come on! It's been a long day. I just want to get into my barrel and rest. But NOOOO! You want me to climb through this~this thing over and over. Just stop. I'm exhausted! Now GO! Leave me in peace, you heartless cad you!" At least I think that's how it'd go! Jenn in Canada 🇨🇦

[@JenHollogram]

how amazingly smart they are. Love it!

[@darebird3183]

Wow amazing job mr Arnold the Terminator! Another great video, cudos Octolabtv.

[@caroledwards1182]

That was amazing! I literally clapped at the last round when he chose an alternative route, very smart!

[@itsjjbtc]

I do this everyday with my jeans

[@franknyc3945]

They never cease to amaze me. Such startling intelligent creatures. One day we will learn to communicate with them and we will be shocked at what we learn.

[@stonehands0249]

Incredible!

[@IntrepidFraidyCat]

Awww. I'm glad he was allowed through on the last test even though he actually didn't make it on his own. He's an amazing creature! 👍🏻🐙

[@takutolovex]

No... He removed the glass

[@cafe4cats]

Stop messing with that octopus. Leave him alone to enjoy his barrel.

[@wreckitremy]

6:36 I feel like the octopus is flipping off the camera..

[@ilovemexxx]

bro i was high and i thought i was paranoid

[@rowynnecrowley1689]

If he had fingers, I think he would.

[@helgafalckenberg6635]

Love them , they are so smart!

[@wendybehe2681]

BRILLIANT.

[@mom2mmpt]

Arnold is willing to play by the rules, until the rules are changed. Then all bets are off. I like Arnold. He's truly an inspiration to all who have been duped by The Man. ;)

[@candacepederson1157]

Awesome!

[@susanfox6666]

These squishy ones are pretty smart. Really enjoying these little creatures.

[@Aelea]

Awwww. Oh nooo... Oh no don't show me where he wants to bee... My heart.

[@thedeetzes]

Very cool! Though I feel the space he got through at the end of the memory test video was even smaller! Am I crazy?

[@ironnads7975]

You look like Jouquin Phoenix so yes you are crazy

[@pseudorca101]

I am wondering what would happen if you put the barrel in his side and make the other side not visible to his eyes? Will he still be motivated to explore around or? Thanks for this fascinating experiment. :-)

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

I imagine it would. Octopuses are one of the smartest animals in the world, so I can only imagine how bored it must get in an empty tank.

[@LavendarRoses]

- This is an experimental tank. All octopuses at OctoLab have their own home tanks. They only go into to the empty tank for experiments that doesn't last long time.

[@MegaSnow121]

The last solution made me laugh! Smart guy! At first I thought he had given up. Boy, did he prove me wrong!

[@trumps-not-rightfor-us5603]

Guaranteed the creators smiled when he was finished designing

[@waydagotc]

This is the most anxiety inducing video I have ever watched. I am terrified of octopuses. TERRIFIED. But fascinated by how incredibly smart they are.

[@Christopher-vj2ie]

The octopus outsmarts the scientist. I love this.

[@ellenjampole1905]

Just wow. I hope Arnold was amply rewarded for this Herculean efforts.

[@littlemrpinkness295]

Octopi have really interesting, cool faces. Fascinating to watch him move, you can see what his sense of self is: legs, face, head. I worry about his head. Oh ho! Look at that! So smart, so smart, I didn't expect that. It is really odd and complicated, to watch the legs, they are everywhere. Octopi used to freak me out, their mouth struck me as creepy and disgusting. But when you can get a good look at them and just watch, they are not disgusting at all. They are actually quite beautiful and ethereal. i think they are definitely aliens. But nice ones, I like them.

[@mjremy2605]

I absolutely love this little guy. What a wonderful creature! I could spend all day with him.

[@shirleyphilbrick1135]

I wonder if the same size spaces to get through, would be the same if you just changed the shape of the space. Like could he get through the same size space if it were A circle, or triangle? It would be fun to see, could you try that? Thank you. 🐙🐙🤙🏻

[@b1njjj95]

What a smart octopus! 😀 I knew they were smart, but damnnn! And might I say, the music used in this video was very fitting.

[@amyf6726]

Awww sweet little baby in hims barrel. I never thought id get s kick out of an octopus in myvlife but this little guy is a hoot! Funny little Arnold!!! 💜🐙💜

[@KNGexp]

This is the Octopus' version of the Olumpic High Jump!

[@lorraineroberge5793]

What a smart Octi-dude!!!!

[@GazAce]

In his comfy barrel thinking.. "what the hell they think I am.. an octopus or something"?

[@melissasalasblair5273]

I'm looking forward to this....I've missed this channel 🐙💙🌐 6:22 he has had it!! lol

[@angelarains378]

They are the most beautiful, amazing and intelligent creatures. I love them so much. I am in awe of them! 💕

[@Beth_4]

I love how as soon as he gets through he hugs his barrel

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

I think that thinking-guy meme fits pretty well at the end. 👍😉

[@MechaLeo]

5:34 The exact moment where you can see the last shred of Arnold’s motivation leave his body.

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Gorgeous.

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

Arnold seemed very determined to prove everyone that he *can* get through...! When in doubt just push it out of the way!! 💙🐙💙🐙💙🐙

[@MsChris23456]

Awesome

[@MiuXiu]

Such incredible creatures

[@MikkanDoisRTE]

06:06 MY GOD I THOUGHT HE GAVE UP AND SUDDENLY THIS HAPPENED 💙💙💙

[@sirlaugholot]

Lmao. Its about coservation of energy. Notice the relaxed state he HAD to put himself in to make himself fit. Ive done that too. Loved his memory of how to remove the wall when that took less energy and focus.

[@draket9364]

I love how he learn step bye step how to ave a better technique on the experiment

[@doakley3900]

He is Great! 😃❤

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Great idea for a channel. I hope Arnold is given things to keep him occupied in that small space when they aren't filming.

[@helenl3193]

They give them different things to explore/play with, both in the experiments and in their tanks when they aren't 'at work'. "All of the eight-armed friends who are part of ther Octolab project were rescued from the catch of fishermen. Their fate would have been gruesome otherwise." ... "Our octopuses now reside in large tanks designed to replicate a habitat that they are used to and enjoy. A habitat that keeps them happy and healthy. Please take note of the word “tank,” not “aquarium.” While we also make use of aquariums, these are only temporary quarters for the purposes of conducting individual experiments. Think of it as someone in an office cubicle. They only work in the cubicle, they don’t live in it." Taken from their website - octolab.tv/about-us/

[@parsnipmcgee329]

My hero. Octoclast!

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

Pretty amazing. 😳

[@lauriedmills7581]

Hilarious! Probably why every time he got through the slit he sat n just looked at us for a bit. That whole time he could have removed the barrier lol.

[@buciallstar]

we need a picture of Helga's secret arnold shrine, but every picture is replaced btt this superior Arnold

[@cyrilgigee4630]

6:34 Why do I feel like this octopus is flipping everyone the seabird?

[@maidenmovies]

my hero! I love him/her !

[@BiddyLamb]

Love Arnold!❤

[@slurpydurp7242]

I really love Arnold. Can you PLEASE built him a very pretty aquarium that will stimulate him mentally and make him happy? He is such a good boy and super intelligent. Please make him happy!

[@definitelynotadream2617]

I love how he just hangs a tentacle out of the barrel and looks right at the camera. "What? you blocked off my house, i take out your window."

[@gardetto265]

love how he uses his left arm to his head to help push his way through via the other side. like how us humans use our arms to crawl through a space

[@davidzubiria3783]

Octopus mind: sees a problem, takes a time to figured things out, tries a solution.

[@LordPhobos6502]

I was wondering and hoping he's just say 'stuff it' and break it if it got too hard... That was great to watch 😁❤

[@Lily_-pb2ip]

I love how there’s dramatic music in the background

[@michaelmcgee5478]

The most intense game of limbo I've ever seen

[@timothycraft5764]

I think the world might be a better place if octopuses ran it

[@kaushik4685]

Arnold throughout this experiment: *Ahh shit here we go again*

[@carlswenson5403]

Please tell me you took the blocks out of his barrel ... 4:45 --- no blocks. Thank goodness, I was worried.

[@sleepydevilz]

why the heck would they leave the blocks in unless theyre still using em for an experiment?

[@carlswenson5403]

@@sleepydevilz may be they would want to encourage him to play with blocks, i dont know, just get the octopus a wee sunken treasure chest to put his toys in at least.

[@sleepydevilz]

Carl Swenson Yeah lol I wonder if the octo would actually put them away by himself?