[ad_1]
The octopus has been revealed as a bully, according to a new study by marine biologists.
In an article published by the Ecological Society of America, the scientists presented their findings by studying octopuses and fish that hunt together in the Red Sea.
The two marine animals are known to collaborate in hunting, making use of their different morphologies and hunting styles. However, octopuses have been observed hitting the fish, apparently at random.
It is not entirely clear why, since the strike is not always made to retrieve the prey.
One of the reasons, scientists believe, could be spite.
The octopuses may be trying to maintain the upper hand in the relationship, to make sure their investment in joint hunting pays off in the future, according to one of the researchers, marine biologist Eduardo Sampaio of the University of Lisbon.
The scientific media have compared the behavior to that of people who nudge each other at a buffet.
The images were published alongside the document and were filmed in the Red Sea in 2018 and 2019.
[ad_2]