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

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.

The creature initially tried to bite the GoPro shooter, but after finding it out isn’t a living thing, decided to use the camera instead. Savard posted the images taken by the octopus on Reddit.

The experiment by Neuroscience student actually involved observing if the octopus could open boxes of food faster if it watches another octopus do it. To document the work, Savard had a camera ready, reports Americanlivewire.com.

But the octopus grabbed the camera. The next day, when Savard retrieved the camera, he was surprised to see relatively good photos taken by the creature – although there were no selfies.

The photo series became viral on Reddit and got more than 1,400 comments. However, some Reddit users questioned the spontaneity of the action and accused Savard of staging the event. In response to the doubters, Savard turned the image sequences into a GIF and posted it on Wednesday in Reddit.

“I think the octopus’s timing was great. I was just in the right place at the right time,” The Washington Post quotes Savard.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au