Octopus vs. Underwater Maze

Intelligence meets Underwater Engineering

Meet Sashimi, the remarkable pet octopus who defied expectations and dazzled with her problem-solving abilities. This unique adventure began with an ambitious challenge: Sashimi would navigate a nine-part underwater obstacle course to unlock a vault filled with her favorite food. Along the way, she showcased not only her intelligence but also the marvels of engineering and nature. Let’s dive into her story and uncover the fascinating world of octopus behavior, biology, and adaptability.

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The Origin of Sashimi’s Journey

Six months ago, curiosity sparked the idea to bring an octopus to CrunchLabs. Known for their intelligence, octopi are often compared to some of the smartest animals on Earth. After introducing Sashimi to her custom saltwater tank, her playful and curious nature became immediately apparent. From interacting with her environment to playfully waving tentacles in the water jet stream, she proved to be much more than a simple pet—she was an underwater genius!

Intelligence Beyond Expectation

Octopi are often referred to as the “aliens of the ocean,” and for good reason. Unlike other intelligent animals, their cognitive evolution occurred entirely separately from mammals, birds, and fish. Sashimi’s intelligence stemmed from her uniquely distributed nervous system. While most animals house their neurons in their brains, two-thirds of an octopus’s neurons are located in its arms, allowing for independent thinking and movement. This decentralized system enables octopi to perform complex tasks, such as solving puzzles and escaping enclosures.

Beyond brainpower, octopi possess other superpowers. They can camouflage in less than a second by altering the color and texture of their skin using specialized cells called chromatophores, iridophores, and luciphores. They can even mimic the shapes of more dangerous predators, adding to their arsenal of survival tactics.

The Underwater Obstacle Course

To prepare Sashimi for her return to the ocean, a nine-part obstacle course was designed to test her dexterity and problem-solving skills. The course included challenges like the “over-under” barrier, a revolving door, and a “fish out of water” scenario. Each section required her to use her strength, intelligence, and curiosity to advance. Her ultimate goal? To unlock the Golden Vault, which contained three pounds of her favorite food: shrimp.

Creating this course required extensive brainstorming, 3D printing, and laser cutting. Every obstacle was engineered to test a specific skill, from pushing blocks to unscrewing complex mechanisms. Each challenge also offered a glimpse into the incredible adaptability of these creatures.

Highlights of Sashimi’s Adventure

Camouflage and Creativity

One of the early tests involved Sashimi’s ability to camouflage and navigate her environment. She moved seamlessly through obstacles, often pausing to explore with her arms. These tentacles acted as scouts, gathering sensory data to map out her surroundings. Watching her adapt to each challenge was like observing an engineer troubleshoot and innovate on the fly.

The Revolving Door and the Block Push

The revolving door presented a formidable challenge, requiring precise timing and strategy. Initially stumped, Sashimi paused to assess the situation before making her move. Similarly, the block push highlighted her strength and curiosity, as she discovered that certain parts of the wall yielded to pressure. Each breakthrough demonstrated her ability to process and solve problems methodically.

Fish Out of Water

Perhaps the most impressive moment was her handling of the “fish out of water” challenge, which required her to crawl out of the water, traverse a dry surface, and re-enter on the other side. Octopi can survive out of water for up to an hour, making this obstacle a perfect test of her terrestrial capabilities. Sashimi’s determination and adaptability were on full display as she navigated this daunting task.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

After completing the obstacle course and earning her shrimp feast, it was time for Sashimi’s next adventure: a return to the ocean. Unlike many animals in captivity, octopi are not bred—they’re taken directly from the wild. Sashimi’s release back to her original tide pool ensured she could thrive and potentially pass on her puzzle-solving genes to the next generation.

Releasing Sashimi was a bittersweet moment, especially knowing that octopi have short lifespans, typically around 1.5 years. However, it was comforting to see her return to her natural habitat, ready to explore and hunt once more.

Engineering Meets Nature

This journey wasn’t just about Sashimi’s incredible intelligence; it was also a testament to the power of engineering and creativity. Designing the obstacle course required innovative problem-solving, much like the traits Sashimi herself displayed. The project highlighted how science and engineering can intersect with nature to create meaningful and educational experiences.

Lessons from Sashimi the Octopus

Sashimi’s adventure serves as a reminder of the incredible capabilities of animals and the importance of respecting and preserving their habitats. It also underscores the joy of learning through experimentation and creativity. Whether you’re a budding scientist or simply curious about the natural world, there’s always more to discover.

If you’re inspired by Sashimi’s story, why not explore the world of science and engineering yourself? CrunchLabs offers monthly Build Boxes designed to teach kids (and kids at heart) how to think like engineers. Visit CrunchLabs.com to start your journey today and uncover the wonders of innovation and creativity.