Cuttlefish have just managed to pass an intelligence test that even human children sometimes struggle with

In a remarkable display of intelligence, cuttlefish have successfully completed a cognitive test that often proves challenging even for human children. This achievement highlights the remarkable mental capabilities of these marine creatures, placing them among the most intelligent invertebrates known to science.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge, involved six cuttlefish being subjected to a modified version of the classic marshmallow test, which assesses an individual's ability to delay gratification for a greater reward. In this experiment, the cuttlefish were presented with a less desirable prawn and given the option to wait for a more palatable live shrimp. Remarkably, all six cuttlefish demonstrated the ability to exercise self-control and wait for the delayed reward, indicating an understanding of future planning and delayed gratification.

This ability to resist immediate gratification is comparable to that observed in large-brained vertebrates such as chimpanzees, crows, and parrots. It suggests that cuttlefish possess a level of cognitive sophistication previously underestimated.

In a further demonstration of their adaptability, the cuttlefish were also able to learn and respond to changes in the experimental setup. When presented with two cues, they quickly learned to associate one cue with a reward and the other with no reward. Moreover, they were able to adapt to changes in the cues, demonstrating a level of flexibility in their learning process.

The researchers speculate that this remarkable self-control and ability to plan for the future may be linked to the cuttlefish's foraging strategies. As opportunistic predators, they must carefully choose when to break their camouflage and attack their prey. The ability to delay gratification and adapt to changing conditions may enhance their ability to forage successfully.

These findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, underscore the remarkable cognitive abilities of cuttlefish and challenge our traditional perceptions of intelligence in the animal kingdom. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying these behaviors and their implications for the evolution of intelligence.