Mandurah dolphin doing an 'occy toss' in estuary
The Hammond family captured this amazing footage last week of a dolphin 'playing' with it's food.
This unusual behaviour raises the question of why dolphins do this.
Is it hunting? Playing? Protecting it's young?

Octopuses at Cottam Point Jan 20 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JlVm4p5SFA&feature=emb_title

Study reveals a diverse cephalopod fauna in the canary current large marine ecosystem
An extensive review of cephalopod fauna from the Northwest African Atlantic coast was performed by researchers from the University of Vigo (Spain) and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). The study was based on the collections gathered in 1,247 bottom trawl stations carried out during ten multidisciplinary surveys in the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Terrific overview of octopus biology
The octopus in general, and the nature of its intelligence in particular, remain a mystery in many ways. This great rundown of what we know includes lots of lovely footage of these delightful creatures.
And one more thing, there was recently a report about the tendency for an occasional octopus to punch a fish now and then. I wasn't super-happy with how this was presented, because many reports anthropomorphized our 8-legged friends, saying it was for "no reason." That concept is very anthropocentric, as empathy and impulse control are probably not well evolved among octopodes. So while it's OK to wonder why Marquis Ventura blasted Rick Moranis and several others in the face for "no reason," an octopus is probably behaving that way for a different set of reasons.

The Insane Biology of: The Octopus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFP_AjJeP-M&feature=emb_title

CEPHALOPODS’ INVISIBILITY POWERS COULD SOMEDAY BE OURS, NOW THAT WE KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THEM
If you’ve ever wanted your own invisibility cloak, just like Harry Potter's, it could soon be (sort of) possible.

The wizardry of changing color, or at least wearing something which changes color, might be more than just fantasy. Reflectins are the light-reflecting proteins that make cephalopods like squid, octopi, and cuttlefish such masters of disguise. These proteins reflect light to help a cephalopod disappear into its surroundings so it seems invisible to predators. Now scientists at UC Irvine have finally figured out the structure of reflectins at a molecular level and are able to manipulate them — almost like magic.

Octopuses Are Eight-Armed Taskmasters
Even a crafty hunter like an octopus sometimes needs help. On tropical coral reefs around the world, the day octopus scours the seafloor in search of tiny mollusks and crustaceans that hide within calcified crevices. But every so often, this prey eludes the octopus’s many-armed grasp. Unfortunately for the fleeing prey, groups of fishes—sometimes four or five different species—might be lying in wait, ready to cut off its escape and leaving it within the octopus’s reach.

MBL Virtual Programs
These free events are part of the MVP (MBL Virtual Programs) webinar series. This virtual series ran from July 6-17 and included offerings from many of our summer programs including the advanced research training courses and the Logan Science Journalism program. We are very excited to reconnect with our friends and colleagues, learn from distinguished speakers, and engage in lively scientific discussion. Webinars were recorded and are available for viewing via the links below.

Madrona Point Nov 28 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSvNNgmRMhs&feature=emb_title