It is a well-known fact that animals are conscious creatures. However, many people think that the understanding and perception abilities of animals are far below that of humans. Science consistently says the opposite.
Behavioral science researchers at Cambridge University, on the other hand, have revealed that squids are actually much more intelligent than predicted, with a study they have been conducting since 2020. Moreover, this experiment was inspired by an experiment on children in 1970.
“Marshmallow” experiment was prepared for squids
In this experiment, in which ecologists, behavioral science and animal behavior science experts from Cambridge University participated, an experiment similar to the world-famous Marshmallow experiment was prepared for 6 cuttlefish. The Marshmallow experiment is a cognitive ability test designed to measure whether preschool children perceive that they are rewarded for their patience. To put it briefly, in the experiment, children are given one Marshmallow and it is stated that if they wait 15 minutes to eat the Marshmallow, they can eat a second Marshmallow.
In this experiment, a similar system is being prepared for cuttlefish. Of course, you cannot communicate with a cuttlefish in a healthy way and tell him that he will be rewarded if he waits, but you can make him understand this with certain stimuli. Placed in a tank with three transparent doors, cuttlefish were tested with their two favorite foods. In addition, these cuttlefish have been specially trained to recognize 3 different shapes. For squids, the round shape meant a door that would open immediately, the triangular shape meant a door that would open in 10 to 130 seconds, and the square shape meant a door that would never open.
Behind the door to be opened immediately, shrimp, which is the favorite food of cuttlefish, was placed, while their less favorite king prawns were placed behind the door where they were supposed to wait. If his subjects approached one door, the food at the other door would recede, meaning the cuttlefish simply swam to the door and made its choice.
When the experiment started, some of the 6 cuttlefish immediately went to their favorite food, while others began to consider other options. The cuttlefish who had waited long enough found that after eating the king prawn they liked less, they were rewarded with more prawns. Later, even though the symbols on the door changed, the cuttlefish learned which door to wait at, so instead of quickly swimming to the shrimps, they waited for the grand prize.
So what does this experiment tell us?
Squids, who are generally not very social and do not like to struggle to catch their prey, spend most of their lives in camouflage in the sea, since they do not have a defense mechanism to protect themselves. Aiming to reach food by the shortest route they can find, these creatures are actually so intelligent that they choose to wait, risking their lives when they know they will get a greater reward.
This experiment, which offers very similar results with the Marshmallow experiment, especially on children, shows us that squids have the ability to understand right and wrong, good and bad, just like humans.
The study, which was held for the first time in 2020 and the results of which were published in 2021, was rearranged at the end of last year and was confirmed by getting exactly the same results. If you want to review the research, you can use the link here.
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