HOME CHOICE AND MODIFICATION BY JUVENILE OCTOPUS-VULGARIS (MOLLUSCA, CEPHALOPODA) - SPECIALIZED INTELLIGENCE AND TOOL USE

Analysis of 'homes' occupied by juvenile Octopus vulgaris shows flexib le behaviour which may indicate specialized intelligence and tool use. Octopuses occupied sheltered areas for a short time, average 10 days, but stayed longer in larger homes and in areas where preferred prey w as available. They did not simply respond to perceptual characteristic s of a site, but instead chose locations potentially suitable and modi fied them by removing rocks and sand and bringing in items partially t o block the aperture.