The incredible underwater footage captured for Netflix’s new series “Our Oceans” shows a coconut octopus using stones as ammunition to shoot at predatory fish while hiding in a clam shell. This behavior, never seen before, surprised the filmmakers and researchers involved in the project. The octopus, also known as a veined octopus, was filmed in Southeast Asia at a depth of 30 feet below the ocean surface.
Initially, the team was focusing on the impact of plastic pollution on the ocean and stumbled upon this unique behavior by accident. They spent significant time observing the octopus to understand if this was a one-time event or a regular defensive strategy. The director of photography spent 110 hours over three weeks documenting the octopus gathering rocks and debris, loading them into its siphon, and firing them at passing fish.
The stones were fired so fast that they could only be seen in slow motion on the footage. Former President Barack Obama, who narrates the series, described the octopus turning its siphon into a gun. This behavior is now being studied further to determine the effectiveness and reasoning behind it.
Coconut octopuses are known to live in sandy, muddy habitats in shallow waters and are skilled at building armor from clam and coconut shells. They use these shells as shields and carry them around when not in use. The shooting behavior displayed by the octopus is a new discovery that sheds light on the intelligence and adaptability of these creatures.
The footage captured in “Our Oceans” is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering viewers a closer look at the fascinating behavior of marine life. Scientists are analyzing the footage to gain more insights into the behavior of coconut octopuses and their use of projectiles as a defense mechanism.
Hannah Osborne, the planet Earth and animals editor at Live Science, highlights the significance of this discovery and the need for further research to understand the capabilities of these remarkable creatures. The underwater world continues to surprise and amaze us with its hidden wonders, waiting to be explored and understood.