Several media outlets featured new research co-authored by philosopher of biology professor Dr. Stefan Linquist that found octopuses are capable of throwing objects. 

Speaking to the BBC World Service’s Global News Podcast, Linquist explained the behaviour was observed when octopuses congregate in social settings and may be a way for females to dissuade males from mating. 

Canadian Geographic also highlighted the study, which is published in PLoS ONE. 

Linquist is a professor in the Department of Philosophy, College of Arts, and an adjunct professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science. His research interests include ecology, genomics, evolution, and psychology. He has a special interest in octopuses.