Scientists find Underwater Cities Built by Octopuses

In the depths of Jervis Bay, off the eastern coast of Australia, lies a bustling city teeming with life. But this city isn’t inhabited by humans—it’s a metropolis of octopuses. Researchers have made a remarkable discovery: a community of “gloomy” octopuses, scientifically known as Octopus tetricus, engaging in complex social behaviors that challenge previous notions about their solitary nature.

Traditionally, scientists believed that gloomy octopuses were antisocial creatures, with rare interactions occurring solely for mating purposes. However, a recent finding has overturned this belief. Over an eight-day observation period, researchers witnessed a group of 15 gloomy octopuses engaging in various activities, including mating, communication, and even conflict, at the site aptly named “Octlantis.”

The octopuses created dens at the Octlantis site, often sculpted from the shells of their prey, and displayed territorial behavior by evicting each other from these dens. The crowded conditions seemed to contribute to tension among the octopuses, drawing parallels to the stereotypical agitated nature of city dwellers. The researchers published their findings in the journal Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology earlier this month.

Interestingly, this is not the first octopus city discovered by scientists. In 2009, a similar site called “Octopolis” was found in close proximity to Octlantis, exhibiting comparable social arrangements among gloomy octopuses.

These discoveries shed light on the lives of these enigmatic creatures. Octopuses have always been challenging to study due to their elusive nature and exceptional camouflage abilities. Tracking them in the wild is difficult and expensive, and they prove to be elusive captives in laboratory settings as well. Besides their tank requirements, they are notorious escape artists. Despite these challenges, past studies have hinted at the intelligence and varied personalities of octopuses, including gloomy octopuses.

However, the existence of octopus cities poses intriguing questions. Why do octopuses choose to group together when living alone would offer more freedom and space? One possibility is defense—the collective presence may help ward off predators and provide cooperative advantages. Schools of fish, for example, demonstrate this behavior to protect themselves and enhance swimming efficiency. Another hypothesis is that the region where octopuses settle offers abundant food but limited shelter, forcing them into close quarters.

To unravel the mysteries behind octopus cities, researchers plan to continue studying these settlements. As they delve deeper into the social dynamics and motivations of gloomy octopuses, more insights will emerge. For now, it might be wise to hold off on moving into Octlantis, leaving it as a fascinating enclave of the ocean’s mysterious inhabitants.