Octopus - SmartyPants???

[nyoctopuslady]

Tonmo - you are so smart with all these facts. Is it true that an octopus is smarter than a dog or a cat???

 

[NickA5582]

I read in one of the old threads that octos are the 9th smartest creature on Earth; ahead of squirrels but not as "smart" as dogs or cats, who just sit around, lick themselves, and sleep all day.

 

[Burstsovenergy24]

Yes it is true octopuses are generally smarter than dogs (and cats, how could they say a cat is smarter than an octopus? ). Nick's line on dogs and cats is absolutely correct.

 

[um...]

Someone should arrange for a game of chess to be played between a dog or cat and an octopus. Who would demonstrate superior strategic thinking?

 

[NickA5582]

The dog would, some can be smart but most are idiots. Or it would eat the octopus.

 

[Burstsovenergy24]

What if it played against a Blue Ring?

 

[NickA5582]

That would be fun to watch.

 

[Melissa]

I read in one of the old threads that octos are the 9th smartest creature on Earth; ahead of squirrels but not as "smart" as dogs or cats, who just sit around, lick themselves, and sleep all day.

Some days, sitting around and sleeping seems like the smartest thing anyone could do. I know my cat will never be as good at problem solving as any cephalopod. There's no problem she can't sleep through.

Melissa

 

[joel_ang]

I don't know whether this is true or how they proved it but from a docu it said they're about as smart as a dog, no mention of cats.

 

[Burstsovenergy24]

Have you ever heard of a dog using experience?

Besides training...

 

[um...]

What are these comparisons of intelligence based on? How comprehensive are they? I crave actual data.

 

[WhiteKiboko]

When it comes to Pop science shows or more often the Internet, an opinion is often the only fact you need...

I still think a mirror is a good test of intelligence, but its yes/no.... :|

 

[Burstsovenergy24]

But what if you had never seen you face, how would you know what it looked like?

 

[WhiteKiboko]

It's not a matter of instantly recognizing yourself, but coming to a realization that the creature staring back is actually yourself.... only a handful of primates are actually capable of this....

 

[Tintenfisch]

Do you get bonus IQ points for shrieks of dismay once the realization hits?