Scientists discover two underwater cities built by octopuses

These gatherings, observed in places like “Octopolis” and “Octlantis” off the coast of Australia, involve octopuses gathering discarded shells and other debris to construct multi-chambered living environments.

These areas can host a dozen or more octopuses, who interact in various ways, including fighting for dens, mating, and even sharing food in some cases. 

While most octopuses still appear to be solitary for a significant part of their lives, these discoveries highlight that social living might play a role in the survival of some species, particularly where resources are scarce or predators are numerous. Further research is ongoing to understand the full extent and implications of these fascinating octopus communities. 

In 2023, despite our advances in technology, the ocean remains as mysterious and impenetrable as ever. So it’s both surprising and unsurprising that scientists have now found underwater ‘cities’ constructed by one of the ocean’s most alien-looking inhabitants: the octopus.

It’s been understood for some time that octopuses are intelligent animals, and they are thought to have roughly the intelligence of a three-year-old child.

There’s something about their bizarre, fluid forms which captures human imagination, and they may even have some understanding of anatomy.

Footage from the BBC’s Blue Planet 2 showed an octopus fighting dirty when a shark got hold of it, jamming its tentacles into the sharks gills to escape in the marine equivalent of an eye gouge.

However, scientists have now found octopuses appearing to manipulate their environment in a more permanent way than using tools. Jervis Bay in Eastern Australia, is home to two communities of Gloomy Octopus, which have been called Octopolis and Octlantis.