Mark Rober, the renowned science vlogger known for his entertaining and educational videos, always seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible. This time, he decided to challenge his pet octopus, Sashimi, by creating an intricate underwater maze. With nine parts of increasing difficulty, Rober aimed to test Sashimi’s intelligence and dexterity.
Introducing the project, Rober proudly presented his beloved pet octopus, Sashimi, to his audience. He showcased a vault filled with Sashimi’s favorite food, tantalizingly out of reach. “In order to get to this vault,” Rober explained, “Sashimi will have to rely on her incredible intelligence and dexterity to make it all the way through this nine-part underwater obstacle course.”
Little did Rober know, Sashimi’s capabilities far surpassed his initial expectations. Recognizing that food is often the ultimate motivator for animals, Rober spent a month studying Sashimi’s behavior and motivations. This deep exploration of the octopus’s psyche allowed Rober to gain valuable insight into her thought processes.
Armed with this knowledge, Rober meticulously designed the maze, reverse-engineering it based on Sashimi’s instincts and preferences. Through countless hours of brainstorming, CAD modeling, 3D printing, and laser cutting, Rober brought his vision to life. The result was a mesmerizing underwater labyrinth, filled with twists and turns that would challenge even the most cunning of creatures.
With each obstacle carefully crafted, Rober was ready to put Sashimi’s intellect to the test. As Rober shared his excitement, he couldn’t help but marvel at the biology of octopuses. “My absolute favorite fact about the octopus,” Rober revealed, “is that they are truly the closest thing we have to intelligent alien life on this planet.”
Explaining further, he noted that octopuses possess a distributed nervous system, with only one-third of their neurons residing in their brains. The remaining neurons are distributed throughout their arms, allowing them to not only sense and taste but also think and act independently. To Rober, this incredible ability resembled the workings of an extraterrestrial intelligence.
With the maze complete and Sashimi fully prepared, Rober embarked on the challenge alongside his pet octopus. For weeks, they trained rigorously, sharpening Sashimi’s problem-solving skills and agility. Finally, the day arrived when Sashimi was ready to tackle the maze.
With determination in her eyes, Sashimi elegantly maneuvered through the labyrinthine structure. Each obstacle presented its own unique challenge, but Sashimi’s intelligence and adaptability shone through. Swiftly, she overcame every hurdle, inching closer to the ultimate prize.
Finally, Sashimi reached the conclusion of the nine-part obstacle course: the Golden Vault. As Rober’s heart raced with anticipation, he explained, “If she can figure out how to unscrew the vault door, well then, she’s earned the three pounds of her favorite food: shrimp contained therein.”
The moment of truth had arrived. In a breathtaking display of her remarkable abilities, Sashimi skillfully unscrewed the vault door, revealing the tantalizing feast within. The sight of the largest stockpile of shrimp she had ever seen brought a sense of satisfaction to both Sashimi and Rober.
After letting her gorge on the well-deserved victory, Rober knew it was time to fulfill his promise. Keeping his word, Rober carefully transported Sashimi to the ocean, where he released her into her natural habitat.
As Sashimi disappeared into the deep blue waters, Rober couldn’t help but feel a mixture of pride and bittersweetness. “It was time for me to uphold my end of the deal,” Rober said with a touch of nostalgia, “and give her the ‘Finding Nemo’ happy ending she deserved.”
With that, he embarked on an eight-hour journey, driving Sashimi back to the exact beach where she was raised. As he bid farewell to his extraordinary pet, Rober couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible journey they had shared.
Through the underwater maze, he had not only challenged Sashimi but also deepened their bond. It was a testament to the immense capabilities of these intelligent creatures and a reminder of the wonders that exist in our world, waiting to be discovered and celebrated.
