A study has suggested that octopuses could become Earth’s new dominant life form if humanity were to become extinct.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, researchers from the University of Oxford stated that if humanity were to face extinction, octopuses would take over the planet and replace human beings.
Professor Tim Coulson from Oxford, who participated in the study, argued that octopuses possess high intelligence and communication skills, giving them the potential to build a new civilization like human beings.
Coulson particularly highlighted that octopuses can breathe out of water for up to 30 minutes. He explained, “While they may not evolve into perfect terrestrial animals, they are smart enough to increase the time they can breathe outside of water.”
He added, “Just as humans developed fishing techniques over millions of years, octopuses could create their own methods for hunting on land. Some might even build underwater cities.”
Octopuses are considered one of Earth’s most intelligent and adaptable aquatic creatures. Often called the “geniuses of the invertebrate world,” they have complex brain structures and impressive cognitive abilities that allow them to thrive in various environments. They are also formidable predators, capable of hunting shrimp, sharks, and even birds.
Coulson remarked, “If octopuses find ways to breathe out of water, they might even start hunting mammals like deer or sheep.”
Meanwhile, primates, which are most similar to humans, are likely to face extinction alongside human beings. Birds, lacking the dexterity of humans or octopuses, would also struggle to develop a civilization.
