Brisbane, Australia – A mesmerizing underwater encounter between a marine biologist and an octopus, captured in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, is the focal point of an upcoming National Geographic documentary series called “Secrets of the Octopus”. The three-part series, helmed by filmmaker James Cameron and voiced by actor Paul Rudd, delves into the intriguing world of octopuses and their remarkable intelligence.
Marine biologist Alex Schnell, the central figure of the series, shares her fascination with cephalopods, a group of creatures that includes octopuses and squids. Schnell describes these animals as incredibly alien, possessing unique features like three hearts, blue blood, boneless bodies, and the ability to change skin color rapidly. Yet, beneath these oddities lies a display of intelligence comparable to that of dolphins, chimpanzees, and elephants.
Over the course of two years and nearly 1,500 hours underwater, Schnell and her team documented octopus behavior in various locations across five countries. Their efforts paid off as they captured rare moments of octopus behavior, including the first-ever footage of an octopus exhibiting a state reminiscent of rapid eye movement sleep, a behavior associated with dreaming.
One of the standout moments from the series involves an octopus named Scarlet in the Great Barrier Reef. Schnell establishes a bond with Scarlet, a day octopus, unveiling a world of interspecies communication and collaborative hunting where fish would signal the presence of prey to their octopus partners. This behavior sheds light on the complexity of marine interaction and communication patterns.
In a fascinating turn of events, Schnell experiments with gestural communication by pointing to hidden crabs for Scarlet during a hunting expedition. Surprisingly, the octopus reacts to Schnell’s gestures, hinting at a level of understanding and cooperation previously unseen in the animal kingdom.
The documentary series, set to premiere on National Geographic and later on Disney+ and Hulu, promises viewers a glimpse into the intricate and often magical world of octopuses through the eyes of marine biologist Alex Schnell. Through her interactions with these mysterious creatures, Schnell challenges conventional wisdom and highlights the remarkable bond that can exist between humans and marine life, showcasing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.