Quck answer
A squid is unlikely to take down a submarine due to its size and physical limitations. While some squid species are large, they do not possess the strength or weaponry to damage a submarine’s hull. Additionally, submarines are designed to withstand the pressure of the deep sea where many squid species live. However, there have been instances of squid attacking underwater equipment, such as cameras and sensors. Overall, while a squid may pose a nuisance to underwater technology, it is not a significant threat to submarines.
Wild Animals
The Temperament and Reputation of Giant Squid
The Kraken, a mythical giant squid, attacks a ship in an illustration from John Gibson’s “Monsters of the Sea.”
Edward Etherington/The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images
Sea creatures are the subject of many stories told by seafarers around the world, some of which date back to ancient times. Greek and Roman mythology tells of great battles between man and marine monsters capable of pulling ships underwater. In the 12th century, Norwegian sailors told stories of sea creatures they had seen, and by the 18th century, the creatures of Norwegian legend had grown to include islands with arms.
Giant, colossal, and Humboldt squid are believed to be aggressive and opportunistic creatures that prey on anything they come across, from easy meals of fish and shrimp to a more challenging hunt of other large cephalopods and whales. The Humboldt squid, in particular, are known to be fierce and cannibalistic fighters. Mexican fishermen have nicknamed them “diablos rojos,” or red devils, because of their bodies’ red color and hostile nature.
An angry or frightened jumbo squid flees from a diver while shooting a cloud of ink.
Brian J. Skerry/National Geographic/Getty Images
In other modern accounts, a squid of “colossal dimensions” was featured in Jules Verne’s 1869 novel, “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” which was said to be a fictionalized account of a real encounter between a French navy ship and a giant squid. Whether the original account is entirely fictional or not, the novel piqued the public’s interest in deep-sea gigantism and marine attacks and is not the only account of squid attacking ships.
In the 1930s, the Royal Norwegian navy’s 15,000-ton tanker, the Brunswick, was attacked three separate times by giant squid. Each account tells of a squid pursuing the tanker and suddenly striking it, with tentacles wrapped around the hull [source: The Museum of Unnatural Mystery]. Fortunately for the sailors — yet unfortunately for the squid — the steel of the ship proved either too slick or too hard (or maybe both) for the tentacles to grapple and pierce the prey. Each squid that tried to land the Brunswick ended up perishing after sliding into the tanker’s propellers.
As recently as 2003, a giant squid attempted to take down a boat – a French yacht sailing, ironically, in the Jules Verne Trophy, a prize for the fastest global circumnavigation by a yacht. The 26-foot-long (7.9-meter) squid gave up before its demise, or that of the boat.
Some scientists are skeptical that squid are dangerous to humans or watercraft, suggesting that they primarily feed on fish and have no need to attack humans or the steel of a ship.
None of the predatory, gigantic squid have yet taken down a ship, yacht, or submarine, but they have certainly tried. Whether they are indeed pursuing our vessels or not, visit our resources on the following page to learn more about squid and other creatures of the sea.
Who preys on gigantic squid?
Despite their gigantic dimensions and displays of aggression, giant, colossal, and Humboldt squid have their predators.
Sperm whales are huge, toothed mammals that can reach up to 60 feet (18.2 meters) in length and weigh around 57 tons. These creatures have a preference for squid and can consume up to 1 ton of squid and fish on a daily basis. On the other hand, humans are also fond of hunting squid, with Mexican fishermen catching over 100,000 tons of squid annually for sale in Asian countries.
For further reading, check out HowStuffWorks’ articles on squid, octopuses, submarines, cooking seafood, and whales. Additionally, you can visit the National Wildlife Federation and Smithsonian National Zoological Park for more information.
Sources for this information include the National Science Foundation, Mack-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Study Center, The Sydney Morning Herald, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, CIESM – The Mediterranean Science Commission, National Geographic News, American Cetacean Society, National Wildlife Federation, The Museum of Unnatural Mystery, Science Daily, LibriVox, Discovery News, ABC Science, and The Mid-County Post.
FAQ
1. Can a squid actually take down a submarine?
There is no evidence that a squid could take down a submarine. While squids are known to be powerful creatures, they would not be able to cause any significant damage to a submarine. Even the largest squids in the world, such as the giant squid, would not be able to harm a submarine due to their size and lack of strength.
2. Do squids attack submarines?
No, squids do not attack submarines. Squids are not aggressive creatures and are more likely to try to flee from anything that they perceive as a threat rather than attack it. In the rare instances where squids have been known to interact with submarines, they usually do so out of curiosity rather than aggression.
3. How deep can squids go?
Squids are capable of diving to great depths. Some species of squids have been found at depths of over 7,000 feet. The deep-sea squid, for example, is known to live at depths of up to 13,000 feet.
4. Are squids dangerous to humans?
While some species of squids have beaks that can inflict painful bites, squids are generally not considered to be dangerous to humans. Squids are not aggressive creatures and are more likely to try to flee from humans than attack them.
5. Do squids have any natural predators?
Yes, squids have several natural predators. Some of the most common predators of squids include whales, sharks, and larger fish species.
6. How long do squids live?
The lifespan of squids varies depending on the species. Some species of squids only live for a few months, while others can live for several years. The giant squid, for example, is thought to have a lifespan of up to five years.
7. Are squids intelligent creatures?
Yes, squids are considered to be intelligent creatures. They have complex nervous systems and are capable of problem-solving and learning from their experiences.
8. What do squids eat?
Squids are carnivorous creatures and mainly eat fish, shrimp, and other small marine animals. Some larger species of squids have been known to eat other squids as well.
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