Octopuses poised for dominion: Scientists speculate future era

Scientists suggest that octopuses could be the species that take over dominance on Earth once humans become extinct. Professor Tim Coulson from Oxford University believes that their unique qualities, such as "dexterity, curiosity, ability to communicate with each other, and supreme intelligence," provide them with considerable potential to develop an advanced civilisation.

Thanks to their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, octopuses could develop complex tools and create an underwater civilisation with structures as complex as those humans have created.

Coulson added that although it is unlikely for octopuses to transform into entirely land-dwelling animals, they could develop the abilities to live outside of water for longer periods. This would allow them to devise new hunting and survival techniques in changing conditions. Octopuses already display adaptive abilities that could enable them to thrive in new, challenging conditions on Earth.

The professor also emphasised that, although primates have long been considered potential "human successors" due to their close relationship with humans and advanced intelligence, they will face the same survival challenges affecting our species.

In this context, like humans, primates may eventually become extinct as well. Ultimately, other species more adapted to the changing world, such as octopuses, might become the new dominant beings on the planet.

The professor stressed, however, that such predictions are merely speculative. Evolution is an unpredictable process, and the future of species post-human extinction is difficult to determine.