Let's imagine a future in which humanity has disappeared, leaving behind ecosystems in the midst of transformation. Interactions among species are reorganizing, and new dynamics emerge, shaping a new balance.
In this new natural order, creatures that were once discreet begin to take on a prominent role. Their adaptability and unique capabilities enable them to gradually establish themselves as key players in this evolving environment. These beings, often underappreciated or underestimated, reveal traits that set them apart from other forms of life.
It is in this context of renewal that octopuses emerge as an unexpected dominant force. Although distant from humans due to their singular appearance and complex habitat, they possess impressive cognitive abilities.
Their decentralized nervous system, largely spread throughout their arms, provides them with unrivaled agility and autonomy. This characteristic allows each tentacle to think and react independently, offering a significant advantage for manipulating objects, exploring their environment, and quickly adapting to changes in their habitat.
Professor Tim Coulson from Oxford University emphasizes that their intelligence is among the most advanced in the animal kingdom. Octopuses can solve complex problems, such as unscrewing jars or escaping enclosures in laboratories. They learn quickly, remember, and even plan ahead—qualities often associated with higher mammals.
Another advantage is their outstanding adaptability. Octopuses inhabit a multitude of environments, from deep waters to coastal reefs. Some species can survive out of water for up to 30 minutes, a potential that, according to Tim Coulson, could pave the way for evolution toward terrestrial behavior.
Unlike primates, often seen as our natural successors, octopuses do not rely on complex social structures. This independence makes them particularly resilient in unstable environments, where other species might fail.
However, their possible domination would not be without limitations. Their short lifespan, rarely beyond five years, and their solitary reproductive behavior impose limits on the development of complex societies. Yet, evolution, through its unpredictable mutations, could compensate for these weaknesses over thousands, even millions of years.
The potential for octopus civilization also fuels intriguing hypotheses. Tim Coulson envisions organized underwater communities, or even artificial devices allowing them to explore dry land.
Finally, other contenders, such as corvids or dolphins, are sometimes considered as potential successors to humans. However, their biological or behavioral limitations—such as instinct or the need for tight-knit social groups—make them less suited to the challenges of a post-human world.
With their ingenuity and flexibility, octopuses offer a vision of a future where the brilliance of life finds new forms of expression. While their ascendancy remains hypothetical, it illustrates the creativity of life in the face of planetary upheavals.
What are the cognitive abilities of octopuses?
Octopuses stand out for their remarkable intelligence, often compared to that of the most developed mammals. Their brain, though small, contains nearly 500 million neurons, the majority of which are located in their tentacles. This peculiarity gives them exceptional coordination and the ability to perform complex tasks independently.
They excel at problem-solving, as demonstrated by experiments in which they unscrew jars to access food. These cephalopods also use tools, a rare capacity in animals, and can even build shelters by assembling shells.
Their memory is equally impressive. They learn from their mistakes, recognize individual humans, and adjust their behavior based on past experiences. This mental flexibility highlights their ability to adapt to changing environments.
Lastly, their ability to communicate is unique. They modulate the color and texture of their skin to express emotions or deceive predators, revealing a subtle social intelligence, even though their life is predominantly solitary.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND