Octopus Den Initiative - Oktopus Höhlen Initiative
from 01/10/2024
The Octopus Den Initiative investigates to what extent artificial octopus dens off the Croatian island of Krk are accepted by wild octopuses. The goal is to determine which designs are preferred and in which habitats these dens are most effective. In the long term, this research aims to contribute to the understanding of octopus behavior and cognitive abilities in their natural environment. The project is interdisciplinary and involves multiple stakeholders. Collaboration with citizens allows for the collection of extensive data while also raising awareness about the protection of these fascinating creatures.
Aim
The project makes a significant contribution to the study of octopus behavior and the development of artificial octopus dens. Additionally, the data collected by citizen scientists is used to investigate the cognitive abilities of octopuses in their natural environment. Understanding octopus intelligence is particularly intriguing, as these animals are considered highly intelligent, yet their brains function completely differently from those of humans. An exciting aspect is the connection to artificial intelligence, as octopus brains process information in a decentralized manner, similar to AI. This research provides valuable insights into the evolutionary development of intelligence in biological systems as well as artificial intelligence. At the same time, the project fosters participants’ empathy for marine life and raises general environmental awareness. The ocean, with all its fascinating inhabitants, is a habitat worth protecting.
How to participate
We have deployed various artificial octopus dens in the sea off the
Croatian island of Krk. To regularly monitor these artificial dens,
we need your help.
On your next dive near Krk, you can visit one of the artificial octopus
dens and take photos or videos of it. You can find the exact locations of
the dens on our website: http://www.octopus-intelligence.org/
In addition to photos or videos, please share the following information
with us:
• The name of the artificial octopus den you visited
• Date and time
• Name of the diver(s) or a pseudonym
• Was an octopus present?
• Were there any food remains near the den?
Your contribution helps us better understand how octopuses interact with
these artificial dens. Thank you for your support!
Needed equipment
To reach the artificial octopus dens, you need to be able to snorkel or dive and have the appropriate equipment. If you need assistance, you can contact a local dive school and plan your dive with the instructors on-site. Please note that all snorkeling and diving activities to visit the artificial octopus dens are carried out at your own risk and responsibility.
No special camera equipment is required—just bring whatever you have! If you don’t have an underwater camera, you can still participate by simply telling us what you observed. Every observation counts!
Created March 25, 2025, 9:39 a.m.
Updated April 1, 2025, 11:22 a.m.