This captivating sea creature could dominate Earth if humans become extinct: expert

It may not be the robots that will rule Earth when humanity goes extinct.

Experts say that octopuses are the most likely creatures to take over the world should humanity end — and it’s due to the marine animal’s intelligence and adaptability.

University of Oxford professor Tim Coulson told London-based business publication The European that the octopus is one of the most “resourceful creatures” on the planet, making them more likely to overrun Earth than animals like birds or insects, which, while intelligent beings, “lack the fine motor skills needed to construct a civilization.”

The octopus is predicted as the creature most likely to rule the planet if humans become extinct. Jack Forbes/ NY Post

“Octopuses, on the other hand, are a potentially better candidate for filling an ecological niche in a post-human world,” he said.

“Their ability to solve complex problems, communicate with one another in flashes of color, manipulate objects, and even camouflage themselves with stunning precision suggests that, given the right environmental conditions, they could evolve into a civilization-building species following the extinction of humans.”

According to Coulson, those qualities — in tandem with their “advanced neural structure” and “remarkable problem-solving skills” — make the tentacled creatures able to “adapt to a changing planet.”

Coulson, who is part of the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford, believes the marine creatures are more likely to dominate Earth than any other species if humanity meets its end. Palamedes / SWNS

“The future of life on Earth is shaped by countless variables, and any number of species could rise to prominence,” he said. “That said, given the octopus’ remarkable intelligence, adaptability, and diverse range of survival strategies, it wouldn’t be the most far-fetched bet to imagine them thriving in a post-human world.”

Apparently, octopuses can tell the difference between virtual and real items, solve puzzles and use complex tools with their tentacles, he added.

“Their advanced cognition, tool use, and ability to adapt to changing environments provide a blueprint for what might emerge as the planet’s next intelligent species after humans,” he continued.

“Some individuals even escape from their tanks at night in some research centers, visiting those of their neighbors believe it or not.”

If humanity becomes extinct, Coulson believes octopuses could evolve to adapt to the complex planet and rule it. Max Ferrero – stock.adobe.com

Octopuses are the likely contenders to take over the world should humans meet their demise. Enrico Somogyi/SWNS.com

Coulson, however, noted that he’s just “speculating” about the candidacy of octopus world domination should homo sapiens meet their demise.

“Octopuses are unlikely to adapt to life on land due to their lack of a skeleton, which makes swift and agile movement out of water challenging,” he explained, adding that it’s possible for the animals to evolve to do so.

“However, these creatures — some reaching up to 20 feet in length and weighing around 110 pounds — could potentially construct underwater communities resembling cities we see on land. But it may take them hundreds of thousands or even millions of years to evolve to do this.”

Coulson believes that the marine animals are intelligent enough to adapt to the planet more than any other creature. Palamedes / SWNS

“It’s important to remember that these are just possibilities and that it’s impossible to predict with any degree of certainty how evolution will unfold over extended periods,” he said. Shutterstock / Dima Zel

While there’s “no way of knowing” if his hypothesis will prove true, it can’t be ruled out, he warned.

“It’s important to remember that these are just possibilities and that it’s impossible to predict with any degree of certainty how evolution will unfold over extended periods,” he said.

“But could octopuses replace humans – and potentially also primates – if they were to die out? Absolutely.

“They could become the brains of the sea.”