For our June 2025 art & natural history masterclass, we welcomed Dr Alex Schnell to our Coconut Crab studio where she led the Southern blue-ringed octopus class. Alex is a distinguished comparative animal psychologist and National Geographic Explorer, renowned for her groundbreaking research in animal behaviour and psychology. Her expertise spans a wide array of species, from cephalopods and corvids to crocodiles, fish, and elephants, with a particular focus on marine life.

Through her research, Alex sheds light on the intricacies of animal cognition, fostering empathy and compassion that drive efforts to protect diverse species and their delicate ecosystems. Many of us will remember her from National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Octopus”, where she developed a very special bond with Scarlet, the female day octopus.

Given Alex’s deep knowledge about cephalopods, she will share wondrous stories of octopuses, including the highly venomous Southern blue-ringed octopus, which is commonly found here right here in Sydney.

All photos below were taken by Samee Lapham.