Female Gloomy Octopuses (Octopus tetricus) have been observed deliberately throwing shells, silt, and algae at males who won’t back off. Using their siphons to forcefully jet water, they launch these objects with surprising precision.
This behavior, mostly documented off the coast of Australia in an underwater site dubbed “Octopolis,” appears to be more than random debris movement. “These throws are targeted,” says marine biologist Dr. Peter Godfrey-Smith. “The females often choose heavier or more accurate materials and show agitation—clear signs of intent.”
This behavior typically occurs during unwanted mating attempts or tense social interactions. Not all throws hit, but the frequency of direct hits suggests a deliberate form of communication.
“It’s rare to see non-mammals engage in object throwing for social reasons,” explains behavioral ecologist Dr. Rebecca Brown. “It shows a surprising level of decision-making and social complexity in octopuses.” These findings expand our understanding of octopus intelligence, revealing a level of assertiveness and boundary-setting that’s both strategic and strikingly relatable.
