Octopus restrains shark, unties knots, takes food

Mad Octopus © file photo

Environment Updates

Octopus restrains shark, unties knots, takes food for itself

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 6 October, 2012 : - - Lauren De Vos a Marine scientist was testing an underwater video system at the bottom of False Bay in Cape Town, using a bait canister to lure fish. An octopus broke into it, untied knots, and stole the food, holding a shark hostage all at the same time.

The Marine scientists captured footage of an octopus restraining a tenacious shark so it could make off with all the food for itself. The scientists were testing their baited remote underwater video (BRUV) system in False Bay. The ebait enticed a few different species of aquatic life onscreen. All wanted a taste of the protected food but when the octopus arrived things changed.

A pyjama shark rushed toward the canister, but the octopus held it securely in place with one arm, as it proceeded to open the container. The cephalopod removed three cable ties to reach the food — all the while keeping the pyjama shark in its place. This was the team's second BRUV trial-run. An octopus also crashed the first test.