Cuttlefish show surprising patience in quest for better reward
Cuttlefish, renowned for their ability to camouflage and adept foraging, have surprised scientists with their cognitive capabilities. Research conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge has revealed that these marine creatures can delay gratification.
In 2021, scientists from the University of Cambridge carried out intriguing research on cuttlefish, which showed that these cephalopods are capable of delaying gratification—a trait previously thought to be exclusive to certain mammals and birds.
The experiment, inspired by the famous marshmallow test that assesses children's ability to control impulses, offered new insights into the advanced cognitive abilities of these marine creatures.
The research involved placing cuttlefish in a specially designed tank divided into two chambers. One chamber contained a less attractive frozen shrimp, while the other had a more desirable live shrimp. The animals quickly learned that waiting for the door to the second chamber to open resulted in a better reward.
As reported by the "Science Alert" portal, the results of the experiment demonstrated that cuttlefish can exhibit remarkable patience, waiting for the live shrimp for up to 130 seconds.
The link between cognitive abilities and foraging
The researchers observed that the ability of cuttlefish to delay gratification might be linked to their distinctive foraging strategy. Cuttlefish spend considerable time camouflaging, hiding from predators and waiting for the opportune moment to attack prey. This lifestyle requires significant patience and anticipatory abilities.
Interestingly, the animals that learned new visual signals more quickly also tended to wait longer for a superior reward. This suggests that their capacity to plan and delay gratification is connected to their overall cognitive abilities.
The findings of the cuttlefish research contribute to a growing interest among scientists in the complexity of marine animal minds, particularly cephalopods like squids, octopuses, and, indeed, cuttlefish. These creatures have long fascinated researchers with skills such as problem-solving, learning by observation, and tool use.
