Can Octopuses Dream?

💡 The Answer

• Octopuses exhibit sleep cycles with distinct quiet and active stages similar to mammalian REM sleep.
• During active sleep their skin rapidly changes color and texture, and their arms twitch involuntarily.
• Brain activity patterns during these episodes resemble those observed in dreaming mammals and birds.
• While we cannot know their subjective experience, the evidence strongly suggests they may experience dream-like states.