Study: Octopus Can Sense Light Through Skin, Without Taking Help From Nervous System

Octopuses can see through skin, a new study has found. The marine creatures don't require their eyes or even the nervous system to detect light and the changes in its intensity, as they can do it through their skin.

The discovery proves once again how octopuses are so remarkable, as they are already considered one of the most mobile and intelligent marine creatures in the world.

"Octopus skin doesn't sense light in the same amount of detail as the animal does when it uses its eyes and brain," researcher Desmond Ramirez, said, The Mirror reported Thursday, adding: "But it can sense an increase or change in light. Its skin is not detecting contrast and edge, but rather brightness."

Researchers used a white light to shine on a sample of two-spot octopus skin. They noted that it caused the chromatophores or the skin's pigmented organs, to expand as well as change color. When there's no light, the chromatophores became relaxed and the skin changed back to the original color.

Researchers said the blue light triggers the fastest reaction.

"We didn't expect to see such a fast reaction," Todd H. Oakley, a biologist at the University of California and a researcher in the analysis, said, according to the New York Times.

In 2010, another biologist, Roger T. Hanlon, had concluded that cuttlefish and squids can make opsins in their skin suggesting that the animals can sense light through their skin.

"I'm very happy that they've succeeded," Hanlon, said, according to the Times, referring to the research by Oakley and Ramirez, adding: "And a little bit envious."