Cuttlefish cognitive prowess: Patience seen in cephalopods
Cuttlefish, known for their ability to camouflage and clever foraging, have surprised scientists with their cognitive abilities. Research conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge has demonstrated that these marine creatures can delay gratification.
In 2021, scientists from the University of Cambridge carried out fascinating research on cuttlefish, revealing that these cephalopods are capable of delaying gratification—a trait previously thought to be unique to certain mammals and birds.
The experiment, inspired by the famous marshmallow test that examines children's ability to control impulses, sheds new light on the advanced cognitive abilities of these marine creatures.
The research involved placing cuttlefish in a special tank divided into two chambers. In one chamber was a less attractive frozen prawn, while in the other—a more desirable live prawn. The animals quickly learned that waiting for the door to the second chamber to open yielded a better reward.
As reported by the "Science Alert" portal, the results of the experiment showed that cuttlefish can demonstrate impressive patience, waiting for the live prawn for up to 2 minutes.
The link between cognitive abilities and foraging
The researchers observed that the ability of cuttlefish to delay gratification might be connected to their unique foraging strategy. Cuttlefish spend a lot of time camouflaging, hiding from predators and waiting for the best moment to attack prey. This lifestyle requires a great deal of patience and the ability to anticipate.
Interestingly, the animals that learned new visual signals faster were also more inclined to wait longer for a better reward. This suggests that their ability to plan and delay gratification is linked to overall cognitive abilities.
The results of the cuttlefish research are part of a growing interest among scientists in the complexity of marine animal minds, especially cephalopods like squids, octopuses, and indeed, cuttlefish. These creatures have long fascinated researchers with abilities such as problem-solving, learning by observation, and tool use.
