A new study found that octopuses can learn how to use mirrors to locate food hidden from view, a feat of spatial thinking never before observed in invertebrates.

Dartmouth College

Who

Researchers from Dartmouth College, Peter Tse, Mary Kieseler, three California two-spot octopuses (Octopus bimaculoides)

What

When

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:09:59 GMT · 1h 59m ago

Where

Dartmouth College ·

Why

The study aimed to determine if octopuses could be trained to use a mirror to find an out-of-sight food source.

The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This discovery suggests a deeper level of spatial cognition in octopuses than previously understood, highlighting that similar neural solutions to cognitive challenges can evolve independently across vastly different species.

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Verified Sources & Citations

BBC Wildlife Magazine
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/marine-animals/octopus-mirror-test
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