Interspecific Evaluation of Octopus Escape Behavior
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2004 |
Authors: |
J.B. Wood, R.C. Anderson |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, escape, husbandry, octopus, species specific behavior, species specific behaviour |
Abstract:
The well-known ability of octopuses to escape enclosures is a behavior that can be fatal and, therefore, is an animal welfare issue. This study obtained survey data from 38 participants-primarily scientists and public aquarists who work with octopuses-on 25 described species of octopus. The study demonstrates that the likeliness to escape is species specific (p =.001). The study gives husbandry techniques to keep captive octopuses contained. This first interspecific study of octopus escape behavior allows readers to make informed species-specific husbandry choices.