Scientists Find Coconut-Carrying Octopodes

   According to an AP report: Australian scientists have discovered octopodes in Indonesia that collect coconut shells for shelter. The scientists believe that their video footage documents the first evidence of tool use in an invertebrate animal. The researchers videoed the veined octopodes, Amphioctopus marginatus, selecting halved coconut shells from the seafloor, emptying them out, carrying them under their bodies up to 65 feet (20 meters), and assembling two shells together to make a spherical lounge. Dr Julian Finn from Australia's Museum Victoria believes that these ocotopodes use the coconuts as planned future use for shelter from predators.

The researchers think that the creatures would initially have used large clam shells as their haven, but later swapped to coconuts after they began turning up on the sea floor.

Tool use has now been observed in a growing list of primates, mammals and birds. The researchers say their study suggests that these coconut-grabbing octopodes should now be added to these ranks.

I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb now and although I lack any critical scientific knowledge or proof I would include almost all mobile multi cellar organisms use adaptive tool techniques to sustain their existence!