An octopus and its coconut-carrying antics have surprised scientists.

[MyCult]

Octopus snatches coconut and runs

An octopus and its coconut-carrying antics have surprised scientists.

Underwater footage reveals that the creatures scoop up halved coconut shells before scampering away with them so they can later use them as shelters.

Writing in the journal Current Biology, the team says it is the first example of tool use in octopuses.
One of the researchers, Dr Julian Finn from Australia's Museum Victoria, told BBC News: "I almost drowned laughing when I saw this the first time."

He added: "I could tell it was going to do something, but I didn't expect this - I didn't expect it would pick up the shell and run away with it."

This is well entertaining watch him go! (video is embedded in article)

 

[tek-monkey]

Saw this earlier, mental!

 

[MyCult]

He deserves that coconut shell, the wily bastard

 

[Gramaisc]

I had a bottle of Coke hanging on a string in the sea to keep it cool and it was stolen by an octopus, which pulled it hard enough to break the string. He then tucked the bottle under one arm/leg and ran off with it. Perhaps he was stocking up for a house-warming party...