In a groundbreaking demonstration of intelligence, cuttlefish have successfully completed a cognitive test that is often challenging even for human children. The remarkable mental capabilities of these marine creatures have been highlighted this achievement, placing them among the most intelligent invertebrates known to science.
Conducted researchers at the University of Cambridge, the study involved six cuttlefish being subjected to a modified version of the classic marshmallow test, which assesses an individual’s ability to delay gratification for a greater reward. In this experiment, the cuttlefish were presented with a less desirable prawn and given the option to wait for a more palatable live shrimp. Remarkably, all six cuttlefish demonstrated the ability to exercise self-control and wait 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 large-brained vertebrates such as chimpanzees, crows, and parrots, suggesting that cuttlefish possess a level of cognitive sophistication previously underestimated.
Furthermore, the cuttlefish demonstrated adaptability learning and responding to changes in the experimental setup. They quickly learned to associate one cue with a reward and the other with no reward, demonstrating flexibility in their learning process.
The researchers speculate that the cuttlefish’s remarkable self-control and ability to plan for the future may be linked to their foraging strategies as opportunistic predators. This ability to delay gratification and adapt to changing conditions may enhance their ability to forage successfully.
Published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, these findings underscore the remarkable cognitive abilities of cuttlefish and challenge traditional perceptions of intelligence in the animal kingdom. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these behaviors and their implications for the evolution of intelligence.