Scientists have observed a male octopus who lives at the Rockefeller University in New York, and came to an unexpected conclusion. According to the researcher, these cephalopods also have nightmares, according to IFLScience..

Watching a sleeping octopus, you can see how its skin changes color from sickly pale to bright. According to scientists, this indicates that octopuses dream. And according to a new study that hasn't yet been peer-reviewed, these dreams aren't always pleasant..

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During the study, scientists placed a camera in front of the octopus aquarium, which recorded video 24/7.. Watching the recorded videos, the scientists noticed a dramatic color change in the octopus while it was sleeping.. Scientists have suggested that this color change reflects what the creature is dreaming of, similar to how dogs twitch their paws in their sleep..

But not all the behavior of the octopus reflected something pleasant.. On several occasions, scientists have noticed that it wakes up abruptly, moving its tentacles rapidly and throwing out ink, as if defending itself from an attack..

“The behavioral sequences exhibited by this octopus upon awakening from disturbed sleep were similar to the behavioral responses to nightmares, night terrors, and other parasomnias in humans, with a narrative structure reminiscent of the defensive behavior of octopuses when awake.”. We hypothesize that the complex behavioral sequences displayed in these episodes suggest that the octopuses are experiencing parasomnias, which may include nightmares capable of disrupting their sleep,"

Scientists admit that their study is based on the behavior of a single octopus, so it cannot be argued that such behavior is universal.. It may turn out that this particular octopus is unique.

However, assuming that octopuses do have dreams, it is likely that not all of them reflect the bright side of their lives.. Especially when you consider that octopuses have a very developed brain..

Previously, scientists have found that octopuses not only feel pain, but also remember its source.. The results of a study by scientists indicate that the brain of octopuses is complex enough to perceive pain on a physical and psychological level..