In an astonishing display of intelligence, cuttlefish have surpassed a cognitive test that often stumps human children. This impressive feat sheds light on the exceptional mental capabilities of these marine animals, positioning them as some of the most intelligent invertebrates known to science.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge, the study involved six cuttlefish who faced a modified version of the classic marshmallow test. This test evaluates an individual’s ability to delay gratification for a better reward. In this experiment, the cuttlefish were offered a less desirable prawn but had the option to wait for a more appetizing live shrimp. Remarkably, all six cuttlefish exhibited self-control and waited for the delayed reward, indicating an understanding of future planning and delayed gratification.
This ability to resist immediate gratification is comparable to that observed in highly intelligent vertebrates like chimpanzees, crows, and parrots, suggesting that cuttlefish possess a level of cognitive sophistication previously underrated.
Furthermore, the cuttlefish demonstrated adaptability by learning and responding to changes in the experimental setup. They quickly associated one cue with a reward and the other with no reward, and they were able to adjust to changes in the cues, displaying flexibility in their learning process.
Researchers speculate that this remarkable self-control and future planning may be connected to the cuttlefish’s foraging strategies. As opportunistic predators, they must carefully choose when to break their camouflage and attack their prey. The ability to delay gratification and adapt to changing conditions may enhance their foraging success.
The findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, emphasize the remarkable cognitive abilities of cuttlefish and challenge traditional perceptions of intelligence in the animal kingdom. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the mechanisms behind these behaviors and their implications for the evolution of intelligence.
I have over 10 years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry and I have been on the list of the top authors on LinkedIn for the past 5 years. I have a wealth of knowledge to share with my readers, and my goal is to help them navigate the ever-changing world of cryptocurrencies.
