Divers help tiny coconut octopus trade his plastic cup for a the perfect protective shell

[IcyPeas]

The coconut octopus, also known as veined octopus, is born with the instinct to protect itself by creating a mobile home out of coconut or clam shells.

This particular individual however has been trapped by their instincts and have made a home out of a plastic cup they found underwater.

While a shell is a sturdy protection, a passing eel or flounder would probably swallow the cup with the octopus in it, most likely also killing the predator or weakening it to a point where it will be soon eaten by an even bigger fish.

We found this particular octopus at about 20 meters under the water, we tried for a long time to give it shells hoping that it would trade the shell. Coconut octopus are famous for being very picky about which shells they keep so we had to try with many different shells before it found one to be acceptable.

Filmed in:
- Lembeh, Indonesia
- December 2018

[FirstLight]

1. Awww

Wish we could help all the animals we have fucked up with plastic and crap

[wryter2000]

2. What a precious little creature

Love octopuses. Octopi?

[tblue37]

4. Octopuses or octopodes, because it is a Greek ending, so it won't take a Latin plural

ending. They are smart, fascinating creatures.

[Submariner]

3. That was a wonderful gesture to seek out a shell for lil coco

Good people do still exist.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

5. Very cool!

[lunatica]

6. I saw a documentary about octopuses on Netflix

They are actually among the most intelligent animals and very curious and inquisitive. It explains why this tiny guy kept reaching out to feel and evaluate all the shells even though keeping himself protected by the plastic cup.

Octopuses also have excellent eyesight with the ability to see in great detail.

[Brother Buzz]

7. But, but, it was room with a view

[bobbieinok]

8. Thanks for post,

[Karadeniz]

9. So relaxing to watch! Thanks for sharing!❤

[BHDem53]

10. Very nice!

I loved the thank you wave a the end.