Prepare to be amazed! Netflix’s new documentary series, “Our Oceans,” has unveiled never-before-seen footage of a coconut octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) exhibiting a truly remarkable defensive strategy. This isn’t your average cephalopod; this octopus is a sharpshooter! The incredible clip shows the octopus, cleverly camouflaged within a clam shell, using its siphon – the tube-like structure used for propulsion and respiration – to fire tiny stones at nearby fish.
“We couldn’t believe it,” exclaimed Katy Moorhead, assistant producer and field director for the series. “She was shooting fish, with stones, through her siphon! We were so surprised. Nobody had ever recorded veined octopuses using their siphons as weapons before.” The discovery was made during filming approximately 30 feet (9 meters) below the ocean’s surface in Southeast Asia. The team, initially focused on the impact of plastic pollution, stumbled upon this extraordinary behavior while reviewing footage of an octopus dwelling amidst a trash-filled seabed. The initial observation prompted a more extensive investigation.
To determine if this was a singular event or a learned behavior, Roger Munns, the director of photography, dedicated an impressive 110 hours over three weeks to observing the octopus. He meticulously documented the octopus’s process: gathering rocks and debris, loading them into its siphon, and then launching them with surprising precision. The speed of these projectiles was so remarkable that it only became visible in slow-motion playback. “She turns her siphon into a gun,” observed former President Barack Obama, the series’ narrator.
The impact of this unique defense mechanism was evident. As explained by executive producer James Honeyborne, “Faced with a large fish that threatened to reveal her clam hideout, the octopus fired a stone out of its breathing siphon, hitting the fish directly in the face.” The startled fish quickly retreated, confirming the effectiveness of the octopus’s surprising weapon. This innovative use of the siphon is now subject to scientific analysis to better understand the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary reasons behind this behavior.
Beyond this remarkable defensive display, coconut octopuses are known for their ingenious use of clam and coconut shells as mobile shelters. They skillfully manipulate these shells, creating portable fortifications and carrying them around as they navigate the sandy, muddy habitats of the Indian Ocean, emerging primarily at dawn and dusk to forage. This new discovery adds another layer to our understanding of these intelligent and resourceful creatures.
The series producer, Jonathan Smith, summarized the significance of this finding: “The fish were clearly startled and did then leave the vicinity of the octopus, suggesting it is an effective deterrent. A scientist is now analyzing this surprising footage to get more answers.” “Our Oceans” is currently streaming on Netflix, offering a captivating glimpse into the wonders and mysteries of our oceans and the incredible creatures that inhabit them. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness this astonishing display of animal ingenuity.
