Secrets of the Octopus
Created by Adam Geiger & Alex Schnell
Written by Patrick Makin
Directed by Adam Geiger
Presented by Alex Scnhell
Narrated by Paul Rudd
Composer Raphael May
Original language English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 3
| 3 | “Social Networkers” | Adam Geiger | Patrick Makin | April 21, 2024 |
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Created by Adam Geiger & Alex Schnell
Written by Patrick Makin
Directed by Adam Geiger
I knew, even before watching this documentary, that octopuses were pretty extraordinary creatures. They belong to the class Cephalopoda, which is a class of mollusks that also includes squids, cuttlefish, and nautiloids, all of whom also demonstrate some really unique capabilities. They can ‘taste’ with their tentacles, and even have a sense along them similar to a fish’s lateral line. They have three hearts that pump blue blood, and their main brain surrounds their esophagus. And yes, you read that right: “main brain.” They have eight secondary brains that each control a tentacle.
They have beaks that can crush a glass bottle, and can change color in the blink of an eye. Their odd, rectangular-shaped eyes may be the best underwater vision around. And they have a disconcerting ability to solve puzzles. If they can reach it, they can manipulate it. This includes screw-on jar lids and simple hasps meant to secure the top of the aquarium.
This series goes well beyond that superficial knowledge.
This three-parter, itself the third in a series of “Secrets of” which previously covered whales and elephants, is overseen by auteur director James Cameron. Cameron, with his fascination with sea life, has made this a labor of love. Amazing camera work reveals heretofore unknown elements of octopus life, including catching them mating, and previously unsuspected “colonies” of these normally solitary animals. Creative camera filtration results in a pleasing and warm palette of greens and purples which subtly adds to the alienness of octopuses. Paul Rudd, who does the narration, clearly shares Cameron’s fascination.
We learn about the utterly unique reproductive options a female octopus has, and that laying—and for seven months guarding her thousands of eggs results in her death. All 300 types of octopuses have what’s called semelparity, which means that mating leads to a quick death—yes, the males, too. Their ability to hide themselves extends well beyond matching surrounding coloration to elaborate mimicry (altering form and color to resemble the predator chasing them) and tool use. And much more.
Depending on species, octopuses live between six months and five years. By the time an egg hatches an octopus larva about the size of a grain of rice, both parents are dead. They are, with rare exception, entirely solitary (although known to cooperate in seeking prey with other species, including fish). So every element of their survival strategies are self-taught and possibly imagined. They are the mollusk equivalent of autodidacts.
Based on what we see, there exists the possibility that they are more intelligent than humans, even though it’s a vastly different type of intelligence.
Watch this series. It’s astonishingly good, and you will develop a deep respect for octopuses.