Octopus Ophira, a so-called "octopus oracle"
IN PHOTO: Science is discovering that octopuses are smart creatures. One eight-legged sea creature correctly predicted the outcome of World Cup winner three years ago until it died. In Middlebury College in Vermont, a California two-spot octopus grabbed the camera from digital media producer Benjamin Savard and used it to take photos. It was good that Savard had wrapped the camera in a waterproof case and set it to automatic before he placed it inside the octopus’s tank, according to Natureworldnews.com.Octopus Ophira, a so-called "octopus oracle" is pictured as it predicts Germany's victory in the Women's World Cup soccer match against France, at the Sea Life Aquarium in Berlin July 5, 2011. Ophira chose a fish from a glass tube with the German flag instead of a glass tube with the France flag to predict the winner. Germany will play France in the Group A soccer match later this evening. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz Reuters/Stringer

Auckland's Sea Land Aquarium has an unusual photographer. Her name is Rambo and she manages NZ $2 per shot for pictures of tourists. But do not be mistaken, Rambo is not a human being but a brilliant octopus -- a very smart one, who knows how to press the shutter.

Using a Sony TX30 compact camera encased in transparent armour attached right outside the tank, Rambo clicks red shutter extender whenever guests pose against the backdrop placed in front of the display. Though a Sony media stunt, in which the proceeds go to Sea Life's conservation programs, it has aroused considerable interest in the product and photos.

The CBC News also reports about the skills of this female octopus at Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium. Its trainer is happy at its pursuits in the NZ$300 Sony Cyber-shot TX30 waterproof digital camera. “She loves the game now,” said Rambo's trainer, Mark Vette.

Company Sponsored

The company sponsored Rambo's photography training is helping to raise awareness on how intelligent octopuses are and also about the exceptional durability of the TX30 camera. It also showcases Rambo's intelligence, as she has been trained in just three tries to "respond to a buzzer as a cue for taking a photo," Vette said in an interview with the TVNZ show "Seven Sharp." Vette is the lead behaviourist at "Animals on Q"-an Auckland-based firm that trains animals.

Rambo Pulls Trigger

As soon as Rambo hears a buzzer, she clambers onto the camera, and reaches her tentacle down a tube to push a red button that turns on the camera and takes a photo. The camera to be used, is placed in a special casing in Rambo's tank, with a red plunger over the camera's shutter button. Visitors have to line up against a backdrop placed opposite the camera, reports CNet. Interestingly, what makes Rambo a professional photographer is that she gets paid for the photos, at the rate of NZ$2 a shot, notes the report in a lighter vein.

Smart Marketing

Sony has smartly showcasd its latest DSCTX30B Cybershot model as a durable and water resistant camera. Though the exact secret to the training process was never revealed, Sony and Vette shared that it was based on a simple food reward system. Researchers worldwide affirm that cephalopods are exceptionally intelligent and curious animals.

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