Cephalopods including octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid are increasingly used in research, prompting new welfare frameworks for their protection.
Cephalopod research welfare is a rapidly evolving field. These animals' exceptional intelligence means barren tanks cause measurable welfare harm. Without environmental enrichment — novel objects, hiding spaces, varied substrates — captive octopuses show stereotype behaviors and excessive skin chromatophore activity indicating stress. Welfare standards for cephalopods in research are less developed than for vertebrates but are advancing quickly.