RESEARCH
Dive into animal cognitive research, where Alex explores the minds of octopuses, cuttlefish, and other critters.
Alex is actively seeking sponsors, funding support, and collaborations. If you’re interested in partnering with her, please reach out through the contact form.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Research Project
Octopus foresight
Without any immediate threats or signs of distress, an octopus engulfs two types of shelter, suctions them to her underside, and awkwardly walks along the seafloor. Some hours later, upon encountering a predatory fish, she hastily re-assembles the clam and coconut shell to create a seamless shield. Did the octopus plan for her future?
Future planning involves imagining and anticipating future scenarios. This ability, known as mental time travel, allows animals like humans, chimpanzees, and corvids to make decisions based on past experiences to prepare for specific future events. While chimpanzees and corvids use planning to address ecological and social challenges, octopuses primarily face ecological demands due to their solitary nature. This raises questions about whether ecological pressures alone could drive the development of planning abilities in octopuses.
To explore this, Alex is conducting a study in collaboration with Dr. Eli Garcia-Pelegrin at the National University of Singapore to investigate how octopuses make decisions during their daily activities. By monitoring their behaviour, particularly in shelter-seeking, Alex and her team aim to understand if and how they use past experiences to plan for their future shelter needs.
Research Project
Ocean Robocto
This is an innovative and collaborative project involving National Geographic Explorers who are part of a multidisciplinary team of biologists, roboticists, and storytellers. A key component of the research involves building a fish robot to help unveil the fascinating phenomenon of octopus collaborative hunting with various fish species. Planned to take place in Australia and Italy, this research combines cutting-edge technology with ecological studies to provide new insights into interspecies interactions. By leveraging the expertise of diverse fields, Ocean Robocto seeks to deepen our understanding of these large-bained cephalopods and their unique hunting strategies, contributing to both scientific knowledge and public awareness.
Further exploration:
Octopuses Are Eight-Armed Taskmasters, Hakai Magazine
Read article
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
Research Project
Decoding cuttlefish communication
Every year, hundreds of thousands of giant cuttlefish gather in southern Australia to breed, creating a mesmerising underwater display of flashing patterns. This project focused on deciphering the chromatic, textural, and postural displays of these cuttlefish to uncover the messages they convey to one another. Understanding these communication signals provides crucial insights into the reproductive strategies of these iconic marine creatures.
Further exploration:
Alex’s research showcased in BBC’s Blue Planet II
Watch video
Cuttlefish Disco, a blog post by Alex
Read blog
Cuttlefish Fight Club, a blog post by Alex
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Two’s Company, a blog post by Alex
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Cuttlefish Brawl, a graphic novella designed by Hakai magazine, featuring Alex
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Research Project
Divided brains
This project explored whether cuttlefish exhibit behavioural lateralization similar to humans who exhibit handedness preferences. Specifically, Alex investigated whether cuttlefish demonstrate a preference for using one side of their body or one eye during tasks such as vigilance against predators, searching for food, finding mates, and camouflage. The findings revealed consistent preferences among cuttlefish at a medium population level, shedding light on their adaptive behaviours in various environmental contexts.
Further exploration:
Cuttlefish Show Specialization in Brain Processing Similar to Vertebrates
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An Eye for Camouflage, a blog post by Alex
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Research Project
Recalling the past & exercising control
This project investigated whether cuttlefish and jays possess the ability to remember past events and exercise self-control for future rewards. By studying these seemingly different species, the research aimed to reveal similarities in cognitive traits across diverse evolutionary paths. This exploration not only challenges the idea that such abilities are unique to humans but also provides valuable insights into how animals perceive and plan for their experiences.
Further exploration:
Can Cuttlefish pass a test designed for children?
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Cuttlefish pass the marshmallow test, a blog post by Alex
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Research Project
Do octopuses and crabs have feelings?
A team of 5 leading scientists, collaborated to review over 300 scientific studies on the evidence of sentience in cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans. The project was led by Dr. Jonathan Birch of the London School of Economics, with Dr. Alex Schnell contributing as a senior expert. The research found strong evidence that cephalopods and decapods are sentient, supporting their inclusion within animal welfare laws.
This assessment, based on robust scientific evidence, prompted the UK government to extend the Animal Welfare Sentience Bill to encompass these invertebrate groups, addressing a significant gap in protection. This amendment highlights the UK’s commitment to animal welfare by ensuring these often overlooked invertebrates receive appropriate consideration in lawmaking. The legislation acknowledges the growing consensus that cephalopods and decapods can experience pain, distress, or harm, aligning with their complex nervous systems – a pivotal aspect of sentience previously overlooked in legislative frameworks.
Further exploration:
Evidence of Sentience in Cephalopod Molluscs and Decapod Crustaceans
Read report
