From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@www.aeiveos.com)
Date: Thu Dec 02 1999 - 11:54:12 MST
On Thu, 2 Dec 1999, Technotranscendence wrote:
>
> I'm not sure how to rate them. I'm not sure if there is an interspecies IQ
> test. Even so, from the stuff I've read and video I've seen, they appear to
> be very intelligent. They are good at learning from each other, which seems
> to be a trait only found in mammals and birds. (Am I wrong? Please tell
> me!)
My guess is that octopodes are at least up to the bird (parrot)
level and perhaps up to the dog/pig level. I don't think they
have a large enough brain for primate/dolphin level however.
But you might consider giant squids such as Architeuthis dux
or Taningia danae. The can run from 2 to 18 meters in length
and weigh up to 900 kg (1,980 lbs). I'd have to believe
that they have a relatively large brain as well.
Interestingly enough, these species would be relatively near the
top of their food chain and live in fairly safe and unchanging
environments and have good defensive systems -- a recipe for
allowing genetic programs for very long lifespans.
Robert
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