"Nehmo" wrote in message ps.com...
That story seems to say the crabs would win against the octopus. I
suppose it depends on how big they were. But, yes, you're right,
there's no video. Certainly, videos back then were rare.

I'm beginning to conclude the traveling-oct story has no truth to it.
Since plenty of people keep them as aquarium subjects, behavior as
bizarre as this would have been better documented by now.

There was a video about it, it is called "The Octopus Show".
It is part of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC "Journeys With Wildlife" series.
I got it on DVD from eBay.co.uk - maybe you will find it also.
I do not remember if there is actual scene in the movie with octopus
actually doing the trick or if there is only a verbal report about it
done by the comentary voice...

But they are strange and probably smarter than we give them credit
for. I knew a girl who used to take walks on Portuguese fishing boats.
She said there were piles of freshly-caught still-alive octopuses on
the deck. When you walked past, the octopuses would follow you with
their eyes. She said you could see the expression of resignation an
pleading in their eyes.

Typical example of applying human interpretation to animals...
Not necessairly true interpretation.