NATURE

They're highly intelligent and can even form bonds with humans. No wonder the world has become transfixed by octopuses. We talk to the author of a new book about these mesmerising sea creatures

by HELEN CARROLL

Octomania Clockwise from right: blue-ringed octopus octopus; common octopus: giant Pacific common reef octopus

With their alien-like bodies, octopuses may not be the most attractive of animals, but these enigmatic sea creatures are having quite the moment and winning lots of new fans. Ever since the success of the 2020 Oscar and BAFTA-winning Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher, in which a diver forms a close friendship with one of these cephalopods, the world has been captivated by what these intelligent, eight-limbed molluscs are capable of.

While recovering from burnout and depression, South African filmmaker and diver Craig Foster recorded footage of the same octopus every day for a year, during which time they formed such a unique bond they even held 'hands' and the octopus grew comfortable enough to lay on his chest. Craig's documentary was a surprise hit that has been viewed by millions of people worldwide.

Like Craig, marine biologist David Scheel, 62, is also fascinated by octopuses, having studied them for 30 years and even kept some as pets at home and work, including at Alaska Pacific University, where he is a professor. Far from his explorations being purely academic, over the years, David has done more than 500 ocean dives, and collected data on at least 1,000 wild octopuses in their natural habitats.