The term “sentience” comes up a lot in animal welfare discussions. It’s typically defined as having cognitive ability and being able to perceive and respond to sensations. The fact that animals are sentient is widely accepted as a reason to adopt standards that protect their well-being.

But how do you measure sentience in an octopus, which has more neurons in its arms and body than in its brain? As University of San Diego comparative psychologist Rachel Blaser explains, one important benchmark is learning and memory. And in this area, cephalopods – octopuses and related species – excel. Cuttlefish have even passed an underwater version of the famous “marshmallow test,” originally developed to see whether small children could give up a treat in order to get a better one after a delay.

This week we also liked articles about why a Brazilian town banned Confederate symbols, how the movie “Moana” piqued some viewers’ interest in using the stars for navigation, and why the locals cherish an organ housed in a landmarked Philadelphia building.

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