[slothtrop]

> Not to mention that the article was specifically regarding an octopus species that lives longer than that

Nope, it's about the common octopus. That is what Octopus vulgaris is. Yes, I did read it.

> Rats live about 2 years, yet they are dramatically more human-like (exhibiting higher intelligence, more play behavior, etc.) than most other animals

Rats are not popularly deemed "highly intelligent" animals, unlike octopi. If we thought them to be on their level we wouldn't be sharing these articles all the time.