Octopuses are among the most intelligent invertebrates. Their complex cognitive needs make welfare in captivity a significant challenge requiring active enrichment strategies.
Octopuses in barren captive environments experience significant boredom and stress. Their extreme intelligence means stimulation needs are high and their experience of barren conditions is probably more distressing than for less cognitively complex animals. Self-mutilation through arm cannibalism in captive octopuses is a welfare emergency indicator reflecting extreme stress or boredom. The rapidly growing evidence for cephalopod sentience has led to regulatory inclusion in several countries, recognizing that these animals have welfare interests deserving consideration. Providing appropriate enrichment for octopuses requires understanding their natural behavioral repertoire.