In a fascinating speculation by experts, octopuses might just be the unexpected heirs to Earth’s throne if humanity were ever to vanish.
According to Professor Tim Coulson, a zoologist at the University of Oxford, these eight-limbed marine animals possess extraordinary intelligence and adaptability, making them prime candidates for evolving into civilisation-building creatures in a post-human world.
Intelligence beyond the sea
Octopuses are widely known for their problem-solving skills, advanced neural structures, and complex communication methods. Professor Coulson highlights their ability to manipulate objects, solve puzzles, and even use tools—capabilities that set them apart from other intelligent animals like birds or insects, which lack the fine motor skills needed for constructing a civilisation.
New York Post shared Coulson’s insights with The European, in which he emphasised that octopuses’ unique cognitive abilities could allow them to thrive in a world without humans.
The future rulers of Earth?
While it might seem far-fetched, Coulson believes that octopuses could eventually develop into a dominant species, perhaps even constructing underwater communities akin to human cities.
This evolutionary leap, however, could take hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years.
“Their advanced cognition, tool use, and adaptability provide a blueprint for what might emerge as the planet’s next intelligent species,” Coulson explained.
He also noted that some octopuses have already shown remarkable curiosity and ingenuity, such as escaping from their tanks in research centres to explore neighbouring tanks.
The challenges of land life
Despite their intelligence, octopuses face a significant barrier in becoming terrestrial rulers—they lack the physical structure needed for life on land. Their soft, boneless bodies make swift movement on land challenging, though Coulson suggests that evolution might eventually equip them with the ability to hunt on land, much like humans have learned to fish and explore underwater environments.
For now, their best bet for dominance lies underwater, where they could potentially develop sophisticated societies.
The unpredictable nature of evolution
While Coulson is enthusiastic about the octopus’s potential, he acknowledges the speculative nature of his claims.
“The future of life on Earth is shaped by countless variables,” he said, stressing that it’s impossible to predict with certainty how evolution will unfold over the coming millennia.
Nonetheless, he firmly believes that if humans and other primates were to disappear, octopuses stand a reasonable chance of becoming “the brains of the sea.”
A glimpse into the professor’s new book
Professor Coulson explores these intriguing ideas further in his latest book, The Universal History of Us. The book delves into the science of life and speculates on the creatures that might take over if humans were to go extinct.
While primates seem like the logical successors due to their similarities to humans, Coulson argues that these similarities might also be their downfall, potentially leading to their simultaneous extinction with us.
For now, humans remain the dominant species on Earth, but it’s fascinating to imagine a future where octopuses could rise to prominence, using their intelligence and adaptability to thrive in a world reshaped by evolution.
As Coulson points out, “Could octopuses replace humans – and potentially also primates – if they were to die out? Absolutely.” However, he reassures that humans are not expected to go extinct anytime soon, so there’s no immediate need to worry about an octopus takeover.