A new study has revealed that common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) are capable of delayed gratification, a trait previously thought to be exclusive to intelligent vertebrates.

Researchers adapted the famous marshmallow test, originally designed for human children, to test whether cuttlefish could resist an immediate reward in favor of a better one.

The findings challenge long-held assumptions about cognitive abilities in marine invertebrates and provide new insights into the evolution of intelligence.

The Marshmallow Test, Adapted for Cuttlefish

The marshmallow test, developed in the 1970s, evaluates impulse control by offering a child a choice: eat one marshmallow immediately or wait and receive two. The ability to delay gratification has been linked to cognitive skills such as problem-solving and long-term planning.

Researchers modified this experiment for cuttlefish by using two types of food: a less-preferred snack and a highly desirable shrimp. Transparent doors, marked with geometric symbols, concealed the food items.

The cuttlefish quickly learned that eating the first snack would result in the shrimp being taken away, while waiting would allow them to access the better reward.

A Surprising Display of Patience

The results were unexpected. The cuttlefish demonstrated self-control, often resisting the first food option in order to receive their preferred shrimp. They waited for periods comparable to primates and corvids, animals known for their advanced cognitive abilities.

This behavior indicates that cuttlefish can anticipate future rewards and adjust their decisions accordingly. The ability to delay gratification is considered a sign of higher intelligence, suggesting that cephalopods possess more sophisticated cognitive abilities than previously assumed.

Why Would Cuttlefish Need Impulse Control?

Unlike social animals, which rely on impulse control for cooperation and group survival, cuttlefish are solitary. Their ability to delay gratification is likely tied to their hunting strategy.

Cuttlefish are ambush predators, relying on camouflage to blend into their surroundings. Rather than attacking immediately, they wait for the ideal moment to strike, maximizing their chances of a successful hunt.

This study suggests that patience and impulse control are not necessarily linked to social behavior but may instead develop as an evolutionary advantage in predation.

A Broader Understanding of Intelligence

The discovery that cuttlefish can pass a self-control test forces scientists to reconsider how intelligence evolves. Until now, impulse control was associated with mammals and birds, species with large brains and social structures. This study provides evidence that cognitive complexity can emerge in unexpected ways.

Understanding how intelligence has evolved in cuttlefish may offer new insights into the broader mechanisms of cognition, including how different species develop decision-making abilities suited to their environments.

Environmental Threats and Conservation Concerns

Despite their impressive cognitive skills, cuttlefish face growing threats from climate change and human activity. Rising ocean acidification, linked to increasing CO₂ levels, disrupts the development of marine species, including cephalopods.

Overfishing and habitat destruction also contribute to population declines in some cuttlefish species, such as the giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama). Protecting these animals and their habitats is essential for preserving marine biodiversity.

Further research on cephalopod cognition could not only deepen our understanding of animal intelligence but also highlight the ecological importance of these unique creatures.