Sony Trained An Aquarium Octopus To Take Pictures Of Visitors

People taking pictures of animals is a common sight at any zoo or aquarium, but what if things were reversed? No, not animals visiting humans in cages, but allowing them to be the ones to take pictures. Well, that's exactly what you can experience at Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium in Auckland, New Zealand, where an octopus has been trained to use a camera and photos of people who visit. Now known as "The Octographer," the female octopus, whose name is Rambo, was taught by an animal trainer as part of a collaboration project with Sony.

It may not be very well-known, but octopuses are actually very intelligent creatures with critical thinking skills. Sony sponsored the aquarium's campaign to raise awareness about the high levels of intelligence octopuses possess, as well as to promote the durability of its TX30 compact camera, which is what Rambo uses.

The camera is secured inside Rambo's tank, sealed in a custom waterproof housing. She was trained to swim over to the unit and use a tentacle to press the red button extending to the shutter when visitors stand in front of a special backdrop. Animal trainer Mark Vette said "When we first tried to get her to take a photo, it only took three attempts for her to understand the process."

As the world's first octopus to be trained as a photographer, Rambo is even earning money from her photos! Visitors can pay $2 to get a copy of the photo she takes, with the proceeds going to conservation programs. Check out the video above to see her in action, along with a few pictures she took of some local elementary school students.

SOURCE Cult of Mac