Researchers at Dartmouth College have discovered that octopuses can utilize mirrors to locate food that is not directly visible, marking a significant advancement in understanding their intelligence. The study involved training three California two-spot octopuses (Octopus bimaculoides) to recognize the location of food by using a mirror, achieving a success rate of 73%. This skill, previously seen only in vertebrates, showcases the octopuses' sophisticated spatial cognition. During the experiment, the octopuses learned to navigate towards a virtual crab image visible only through the mirror, demonstrating their ability to infer the actual location of the food. The lead author, Mary Kieseler, noted that this ability reflects a level of intelligence previously unrecognized in invertebrates. The findings suggest that octopuses may have developed internal mental maps, enhancing their hunting strategies in complex environments. This research not only highlights the advanced cognitive abilities of octopuses but also provides insights into the evolutionary pathways of intelligence across different species.