The story of Inky the Octopus's daring escape from the Napier Aquarium has hit the headlines around the world.
Inky took advantage of his tank's lid being left slightly ajar and fled to the Pacific Ocean via a drain hole used for taking water back to the sea.
But his exploits have not suprised marine biologists, who say the Cephalopod molluscs are among the most intelligent creatures in the world.
Octopus expert, Dr Jean McKinnon of Otago University has been studying them for many years, and says they are as smart as dogs and toddlers and she has many stories of similar wily behaviour from Octopodes.
