Octopuses are the species most likely to take over the world after humans, scientists say.
The world’s leading experts claim that the eight-limbed creatures are poised to become the dominant force on Earth if humanity becomes extinct.
In the event of destruction from wars or climate change, marine invertebrates would possess the “physical and mental properties necessary” to evolve into the next civilization-building species.
Professor Tim Coulson from the University of Oxford said their ‘agility, curiosity, ability to communicate with each other and superior intelligence’ mean they could create complex tools to build a vast Atlantis-like civilization underwater.
And while the octopus is “unlikely” to develop into a full-fledged land animal, it was smart enough to “extend” its time out of the water to develop new hunting methods, he claimed.
Professor Coulson, one of the world’s leading zoologists and biologists who has advised governments, said cephalopods were now in ‘pole position’ to colonize the world in case humanity became extinct.
Primates – long thought to be humans’ successors – would face the same challenges and also become extinct, he said.
The professor said the predators – which can breathe from water for 30 minutes – were able to develop their own hunting methods on land over millions of years, in much the same way humans have done at sea.
World’s leading experts claim the eight-limbed creatures are poised to become the dominant force on Earth if humanity becomes extinct (file image)
In the event of destruction from wars or climate change, octopuses would possess the ‘physical and mental properties necessary’ to evolve into the next civilization-building species
This could include SCUBA-style breathing equipment to extend the time they can stay out of the water, he said.
Speaking to The European magazine, Professor Coulson, who was previously Professor of Population Biology at Imperial College London and held positions at the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Zoology London, said: ‘Octopuses are among the most intelligent, adaptable and resourceful creatures on earth. .
‘Their ability to solve complex problems, manipulate objects and even camouflage themselves with stunning precision suggests that, given the right environmental conditions, they could evolve into a civilization-building species after human extinction.
‘Their advanced neural structure, decentralized nervous system and remarkable problem-solving skills make octopuses ideally suited for an unpredictable world.
‘These qualities may allow them to exploit new niches and adapt to a changing planet, especially in the absence of human influence.
‘In a world where mammals dominate, octopuses remain an undervalued competitor. Their advanced knowledge, use of tools and ability to adapt to changing environments provide a blueprint for what could become the planet’s next intelligent species after humans.’
Professor Coulson has received awards from major institutions including the Royal Society, is a former editor of several scientific journals and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles with an emphasis on complex biological systems.
His latest book, The Universal History of Us: a 13.8 Billion Year Story from the Big Bang to You, focuses on what had to happen since the birth of the universe for humans to exist.
Although the octopus is ‘unlikely’ to develop into a full-fledged land animal, it was smart enough to ‘extend’ its time in the water to develop new hunting methods, claimed Professor Tim Coulson.
He added: ‘Of course, the rise of the octopuses is all speculative: evolution is unpredictable, and we cannot say with certainty what path it will take in the event of human extinction.
‘The future of life on Earth is determined by countless variables, and any number of species could emerge. That said, given the octopus’ remarkable intelligence, adaptability, and diverse survival strategies, it wouldn’t be the most far-fetched guess to imagine them thriving in a post-human world.”
If humans were to become extinct, perhaps due to wars or climate change, most scientists agree that the creature that “replaces” us would have to be useful.
Without agility, a species would not be able to develop complex tools to modify its environment and colonize the planet the way humans have.
For example, some birds, such as crows, ravens and parrots, are extremely intelligent and build communal nesting sites that can last for decades.
Several insect species build complex towering structures that resemble human civilization.
But experts say neither birds nor insects are likely to fill the ecological role previously held by humans because they lack the agility of humans and octopuses.
Primates have long been considered the natural precursor of civilization because of their ability to manipulate objects.
For example, some birds, such as crows, ravens and parrots (pictured), are extremely intelligent and build communal nesting sites that can last for decades.
Several insect species build complex towering structures that resemble human civilization
Hominids such as chimpanzees and bonobos are smart, have opposable thumbs, already use tools and can walk on two legs like humans.
But primates would likely face extinction along with humans because they are vulnerable to the same threats that affect us.
Even if they survived, experts say primates are vulnerable to predators and competition, limited in terms of the environments and ecosystems they can live in, and have slow reproductive rates and development.
Primates also depend on close-knit communities for their survival – with coordinated social behavior such as hunting, grooming and defending against predators – and their small population size means they may struggle to adapt to a changed world.
‘Octopuses, on the other hand, are a potentially better candidate to fill an ecological niche in a post-human world,’ Professor Coulson added.
They can already distinguish between real and virtual objects, solve puzzles, manipulate their environment, use complex tools using their thumb-like tentacles, and live in a wide range of environments from deep-sea trenches to coastal waters.
Octopuses are also adept at surviving in harsh conditions and are formidable hunters with a wide variety of prey, including mussels, shrimp, lobsters, fish, sharks and even birds.
Researchers found that primates are likely to face extinction alongside humans because they are vulnerable to the same threats that affect us (file image of a chimpanzee)
Although they have a relatively short lifespan, from one and a half to five years, they reproduce very quickly and reach physical and intellectual maturity.
And while they may be social creatures, octopuses largely fend for themselves and don’t rely on strict, coordinated social behavior like primates do.
Professor Coulson said the invertebrates are unlikely to evolve into land animals due to their lack of a skeleton, meaning they struggle to move quickly and easily when out of water.
But he said the creatures — some of which grow up to 20 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds — could potentially build underwater cities and towns that resemble those we recognize on land.
Thanks to evolution, it is “possible, if not likely” that they could develop their own methods of breathing out of water and hunting prey such as deer, sheep and other mammals on land.
Professor Coulson said: ‘It is important to remember that these are just possibilities, and it is impossible to predict with any degree of certainty how evolution will unfold over longer periods of time.
‘Random mutations, unforeseen extinction events and population bottlenecks can all significantly affect the trajectory of evolution, making it challenging to determine whether another species will develop human-level intelligence or have the propensity to build cities.
‘But could octopuses replace humans – and possibly primates – if they become extinct? Absolute.
‘Would octopuses build huge underwater cities and come ashore with breathing apparatus to shoot a deer? We can’t know. But we certainly cannot rule it out.
“Humans have learned to catch fish and navigate over and under water, so it is also possible, if not likely, that octopuses do the same on land.”