Freaky ‘'Rubber Hand’ Illusion’ Works on Octopuses, Too

image via New Scientist

September 15, 2025, 10:45 AM

• •Octopuses reacted defensively to stimulation of a fake arm in the 'rubber hand' illusion.
• •The illusion suggests that octopuses may have a sense of body ownership.
• •The study challenges previous views on the perception of body awareness.

A recent study reveals that octopuses, like humans, can be tricked by the "rubber hand" illusion, suggesting they may possess a sense of body ownership. Researchers conducted experiments where octopuses reacted defensively to stimuli applied to a fake arm when it was stroked simultaneously with their real arm. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the perception of body awareness, which was thought to be a uniquely human trait, opening up new avenues for understanding animal consciousness and how octopuses perceive their own bodies. The study implies that octopuses might see the world in a different way.

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