Octopuses have favourite arms they use to snatch prey with. Just like humans are left or right handed, the sea creatures have a dominant tentacle.
Boffins analysed octopuses attacking their prey and discovered they preferred certain arms to get the job done with.
The eight-armed creatures use all of their limbs to travel across the sea floor.
But when it comes to getting something to eat, they tend to snatch their prey with the second arm from the middle.
University of Minnesota recorded California two-spot octopuses to understand whether their hunting arms were chosen in spur of the moment.
They found that when prey was dropped into the tank, the octopuses used the same arm to attack.
The researchers commented: “Each eye of the octopus covers about 180 degrees with virtually zero intersection and displays limited eye movement and no head movement.
“It is likely that octopuses prefer to place the target in the middle rather than at the border of their visual field.
“When striking crabs, octopuses preferred synchronous arm recruitment.
“Sequential arm recruitment with a characteristic swaying movement is employed for shrimp.
“Such behavioural selection aligns with specific prey escape strategies and the octopus’ flexible arm biomechanical constraints.”
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