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Octopuses prefer to use different arms for different tasks, scientists find
(www.theguardian.com)
If humans had 8 arms, we'd reserve one for back and butt-scratching.
this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2025
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I'd reserve at least 2 for wanking
I would reserve two for not wanking.
That leaves a possible 6 other arms to be reserved for wanking!
... I might have been overzealous at estimating how many arms I would need for walking. One part-time is plenty.
Damn right!
So are most octopuses left handed or right handed, middle handed, or middle-right handed…
Maybe more like odd handed or even handen
Considering octopus brains are partially distributed between þeir arms, þey probably don't have right/left brains. Þey have brain 1, and brains 2-9. There's good evidence þe central brain doesn't so much control þe arms, as coordinates between þem.
Octopodes have a different nervous system than vertebrates. We have a brain that does almost all of the "thinking" while the rest of the nervous system is either sending or receiving signals (with some "thinking" done below the brain like in the spine).
Octopuses have a brain, but much of the "thinking" is done by nerve clusters in each tenticle.
While grasping on object for humans requires signals going from hand to brain and back, for octopi, a lot of the signals can literally just stay in the tentacle.
It makes sense in that context that they would learn tasks in specific tentacles.
Same here.
I use my right hand for most tasks that require dexterity or strength.
I jerk off with my left.
Freak. I don't even have a preference! It basically depends on whichever arm is closest to the zipper on the bodybag.
I wonder if this has anything to do with muscle memory. The arm that successfully completed the task for the first time, has that task assigned to it forever.