by Alex Steelsmith

“[Octopuses] were caught on camera throwing shells, silt, and algae… [Targets included] the underwater cameras.
This is the first time throwing behavior has been reported among octopuses. Though scientists aren’t certain of the
motivation, it may have something to do with ‘the octopus equivalent of personal space’…”
—National Geographic

Tentacle-tentative
octopus researchers
aiming their cameras are
shrewdly repelled;

breaching the spaces that
octopi occupy,
over-inquisitive
humans get shelled.

Suddenly-thuddenly,
curious scientists
met with projectiles are
shocked and alarmed,

having discovered in
nontheoretical
terms that the creatures are
very well armed.