Octopuses are the species most likely to dominate the world after humans, scientists say.
Leading world experts say these eight-limbed creatures are poised to become the dominant force on Earth should humanity disappear.
In the event of extinction due to war or climate change, marine invertebrates are said to possess the “necessary physical and mental attributes” to evolve into the next civilization-building species.
Professor Tim Coulson, of Oxford University, said their “dexterity, curiosity, ability to communicate with each other and supreme intelligence” means they could create complex tools to build a vast Atlantis-like civilization underwater.
And although the octopus is “unlikely” to become a land animal, it was smart enough to “extend” its time out of water to develop new hunting methods, he said.
Professor Coulson, one of the world’s leading zoologists and biologists who has advised governments, said cephalopods were now in “prime position” to colonize the world should humanity disappear.
Primates, long considered the successors to humans, would face the same challenges and also become extinct, he said.
The professor said the predators, which can breathe for 30 minutes out of water, could, over millions of years, develop their own hunting methods on land, much like humans have done in the sea.
Leading world experts say eight-limbed creatures are poised to become the dominant force on Earth should humanity disappear (file image)
In the event of extinction through wars or climate change, octopuses are said to possess the “necessary physical and mental attributes” to evolve into the next civilization-building species.
This could include SCUBA-type 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 found among the most intelligent, adaptable and resourceful creatures on Earth.” .
“Their ability to solve complex problems, manipulate objects and even camouflage themselves with astonishing precision suggests that, given the right environmental conditions, they could evolve into a civilization-building species after the extinction of humans.
“Their advanced neural structure, decentralized nervous system, and remarkable problem-solving skills make octopuses uniquely suited to an unpredictable world.
“These qualities could 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 underrated contender. Their advanced cognition, tool use, and ability to adapt to changing environments provide a blueprint for what could emerge as the planet’s next intelligent species after humans.’
Professor Coulson has awards from major institutions including the Royal Society, was an editor of several scientific journals and has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles focusing 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 become a land animal, it was smart enough to “extend” its time out of water to develop new hunting methods, Professor Tim Coulson said.
He added: “Of course, the emergence of octopuses is purely speculative: evolution is unpredictable and we cannot say with certainty which 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 rise to prominence. That said, given the octopus’s remarkable intelligence, adaptability, and diverse range of survival strategies, it wouldn’t be the wildest bet to imagine them thriving in a post-human world.
If humans were to disappear, perhaps through wars or climate change, most scientists agree that the creature that would “replace” us would have to be right-handed.
Without skill, a species would be unable to develop complex tools to modify its environment and colonize the planet as man has done.
Some birds, such as crows and parrots, for example, are extremely intelligent and build communal nesting sites that can last for decades.
Various species of insects build complex towering structures that resemble human civilization.
But experts say neither birds nor insects are likely to fulfill the ecological role humans once played because they lack the dexterity of humans and octopuses.
Primates have long been considered the natural precursors of civilization due to their ability to manipulate objects.
Some birds, like crows and parrots (pictured), for example, are extremely intelligent and build communal nesting sites that can last for decades.
Various species of insects build imposing and complex structures that resemble human civilization.
Hominids like chimpanzees and bonobos are intelligent, 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 survive, experts say primates are vulnerable to predators and competition, are limited in terms of the environments and ecosystems they can live in, and have slow rates of reproduction and development.
Primates also rely on close-knit communities to survive, with coordinated social behaviors such as hunting, grooming and defending against predators, and their small population size means they could struggle to adapt to a changed world.
“Octopuses, on the other hand, are potentially better candidates to fill an ecological niche in a post-human world,” Professor Coulson added.
They can already differentiate between real and virtual objects, solve puzzles, manipulate their environment, use complex tools with their thumb-like tentacles, and live in a wide range of environments, from deep-sea trenches to coastal waters.
Octopuses are also experts at surviving in harsh conditions and are formidable hunters with a wide variety of prey, including clams, shrimp, lobsters, fish, sharks and even birds.
Researchers found that primates would likely face extinction along with humans because they are vulnerable to the same threats that affect us (archive image of a chimpanzee)
Although they have a relatively short life expectancy of between 1.5 and five years, they reproduce and reach physical and intellectual maturity very quickly.
And while they may be sociable creatures, octopuses largely fend for themselves and don’t rely on strict, coordinated social behaviors like primates do.
Professor Coulson said invertebrates are unlikely to evolve into land animals because of 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 and weigh 110 pounds, could possibly build underwater cities and towns similar to those we recognize on land.
Thanks to evolution, it is “possible, if not probable” that they could develop their own methods of breathing out of water and hunting prey such as deer, sheep and other land mammals.
Professor Coulson said: “It is important to remember that these are only possibilities and that it is impossible to predict with any degree of certainty how evolution will unfold over long periods.
“Random mutations, unforeseen extinctions, and demographic bottlenecks can significantly influence the trajectory of evolution, making it difficult to determine whether another species will develop human-level intelligence or the inclination to build cities.
‘But could octopuses replace humans (and potentially primates too) if they disappeared? Absolutely.
‘Would octopuses build vast underwater cities and come to land with breathing apparatus to shoot a deer? We have no way of knowing. But we certainly can’t rule it out.
“Humans learned to fish and navigate on and under water, so it’s also possible, if not likely, that octopuses do the same on land.”