Owners of an octopus that can open jars and arrange blocks are asking the public to think up a puzzle that will defeat the talented creature.

Two-year-old Ursula, who lives at the Living Coasts zoo and aquarium in Torquay, Devon, interacts with just about anything put in her tank - from Lego bricks to water pistols.

It once took the clever mollusc just 10 seconds to open a waterproof casing for a camera, which was apparently quicker than zoo staff.

Two-year-old Ursula (pictured), who lives at the Living Coasts zoo and aquarium in Torquay, Devon, can open jars and arrange blocks

She is given lots of objects to mentally and physically stimulate her and now the aquarium has invited people to come up with their own games for Ursula.

Operations manager Clare Rugg said: 'She is very active and inquisitive. She can open screw lids, manipulate building blocks, unfasten things like catches and flip lids.

'She took only 10 seconds to open a waterproof casing for a camera - it took a human longer to work it out.

'We give her a lot of what we call environmental enrichment - it's what zoos do to stimulate animals mentally and physically. It's like giving toys to pets, but with a more scientific basis.

'We would like to invite people to devise puzzles or games for Ursula - the person who comes up with the idea that proves the biggest challenge to her will be able to meet her and her keepers.

'But I'm backing Ursula to beat all-comers.'

Staff at the zoo are asking members of the public to come up with puzzles and games for Ursula

The puzzles must be non-toxic and cannot include sharp or pointed objects and they must also not contain any metal, as it can be harmful to the octopus.

Research has shown that the common octopus can distinguish the brightness, size, shape, and orientation of objects.

It is the only invertebrate protected by laws in the UK governing animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes.

Living Coasts keeper, Sarah Tingvoll, added: 'She is very intelligent. She can undo screw top pots, jars and containers filled with food in seconds.

'We put food inside a house built of Lego bricks - she takes it apart. Then there are systems of plastic pipes and tubes she has to reach into to get food.

'In the past she has had water pistols, a Mr Potato Head toy and plastic mesh cages. We hang up shiny mobiles made of CDs and give her a floating ball to play with.

'She once squirted me with water when she wanted my glove and I wouldn't let her have it. She interacts with anything you put in the tank, including cleaning equipment.

'One of her favourite games is to grab our cleaning equipment and have a tug of war with you. She is very strong, she will always win.

'It takes two people to clean out her tank - one to distract her, one to clean.'