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My Octopus Teacher? Well, scientists are suggesting that ‘my octopus empire’ may be more fitting, come the apocalypse.

In a fascinating new discussion with The European magazine, Professor Coulson – an acclaimed biologist and former professor at Imperial College London – has shared an intriguing hypothesis: if humans were to face extinction, octopuses could emerge as the planet’s next civilisation-building species.

According to Coulson, these tentacled beasts are one of the only species that have the brain-power to build a post-apocalyptic empire:

Octopuses are among the most intelligent, adaptable, and resourceful creatures on Earth. Their ability to solve complex problems, manipulate objects, and even camouflage themselves with stunning precision suggests that, given the right environmental conditions, they could evolve into a civilisation-building species following the extinction of humans.

With advanced neural structures and a decentralised nervous system, octopuses possess traits that could allow them to thrive in a post-human world. Unlike mammals or primates, they have adapted to a vast range of marine environments, from deep-sea trenches to coastal waters. Plus, they aren’t as susceptible to human diseases, unlike monkeys and mammals. Coulson suggests these invertebrates could exploit new ecological niches, possibly even constructing underwater cities.

Some of the key parts of Coulson’s (very convincing) argument that octopi could be the new rulers of the earth when us humans can’t take the heat:

Cognition: Octopi can differentiate between real and virtual objects, solve puzzles, and manipulate tools with their dexterous, thumb-like tentacles.

Adaptability: These beautiful beasts thrive in various environments, surviving harsh conditions and hunting a large array of prey, from shrimp and lobsters to fish and even sharks. Yep, the ocean is a veritable buffet for these guys.

Survival Skills: Unlike primates (and humans), which depend on tightly knit social groups, octopuses largely fend for themselves, making them less vulnerable to extinction events that could disrupt community structures. Although they have relatively short lifespans, ranging from 1.5 to 5 years, octopuses reach intellectual and physical maturity quickly, contrary to mammalian development, offering a potential evolutionary advantage.

While this information is promising, the big question on everyone’s lips is: why not birds or insects as the new world leaders?

Well, according to Coulson and his team, many species exhibit intelligence or tool use, but they lack critical traits that would make them contenders for replacing humans as civilisation-builders.

For example, our feathered friends who share DNA with dinosaurs demonstrate impressive intelligence and communal behaviours but lack the dexterity to create and manipulate complex tools at a civilisation-building scale.

And while many joke that the cockroaches and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones will be the ‘last of us’, insects’ collective intelligence operates on an entirely different scale, with little evidence of individual problem-solving or advanced cognition. Octopuses, on the other hand, don’t need to rely on this kind of ‘hive-mind’ system to make tools and solve problems.

That being said, if you’re picturing an octopus in parliament in the far future, you’ll need to take your imagination to the underwater realms. Professor Coulson notes that octopuses are unlikely to evolve into land-dwelling creatures due to their lack of a skeleton and difficulty moving on land, but the possibility of an advanced aquatic civilisation run by tentacled creatures is very possible.

Octopuses could conceivably build underwater cities and towns akin to those we recognise on land.

However, that doesn’t mean we should rule out the possibility of land adaptations. With evolution in mind, Coulson suggests that octopuses could potentially develop mechanisms for breathing on land and hunting terrestrial prey, much like humans learned to navigate oceans.

While Coulson’s speculations are backed by his scientific knowledge and research, he is careful to clarify that this scenario is just that – speculative. Evolution’s trajectory is shaped by countless factors, from random mutations to extinction events and population bottlenecks, making it impossible to predict with certainty. The Prof does make a compelling case for the mysterious octopus’s abilities.

Random mutations, unforeseen extinction events, and population bottlenecks can all significantly influence the trajectory of evolution… But could octopuses replace humans—and potentially also primates—if they were to die out? Absolutely.

If you’re as titillated by these claims are we are, check out Coulson’s latest book, The Universal History of Us: A 13.8-Billion-Year Tale from the Big Bang to You, which examines the improbable chain of events that led to human existence. His reflections on octopus evolution serve as a reminder of life’s unpredictability – and its resilience.

Next time you spy an octopus in the tidal pool, remember that it’s not farfetched that these adaptable critters will be the new species to reckon with in a post-human world.

[source:dailymail]