This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Ok, so this is really entirely for entertainment, and you should check out the excellent all-octopus-all-the-time blog Octopus Chronicles right here at Scientific American for genuine insight, but I couldn't resist posting this video that seems to be on its way to viral fame. Apparently octopuses can, and do, make quite extended forays into that near vacuum we call dry land. Watching this (and the other one below) I cannot help but think that the same scene could be playing out on a planet around another star somewhere out in the Milky Way galaxy, or even further afield. Opposable thumbs are so last-eon, prehensile tentacles are the way to go.
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And this one demonstrating that old hunter-gatherer instinct that results in planetary domination...