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Wildlife
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Photograph provided by Consumer Guide Products
In Jules Verne’s “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” a colossal squid attacks a submarine.
Over 300 years ago, tales began to circulate about a multi-armed monster with tentacles as long as a ship’s mast dwelling in the deep sea. According to Jules Verne’s classic science-fiction novel, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” one squeeze of this monster’s colossal arms “could ensnare a vessel of five hundred tons and plunge it into the abyss of the ocean.”
Despite the fact that no such animal actually exists, the legends are most likely founded on sightings of giant squid, real but evasive creatures that can grow up to 60 feet long with tentacles up to 30 feet long. Few animals have caused as much amazement and terror as the giant squid.
The giant squid’s smaller relatives are more well-known, though just as captivating. Squid are quick, nimble, and surprisingly clever creatures with brains that are closer in proportion to those of mammals than those of fish or reptiles.
In this article, you will be introduced to the often-misunderstood squid, discover some of the unusual animals that are part of this species, and learn about what took place when scientists finally came face-to-face with the enigmatic giant squid.
Squid are a type of mollusk, but unlike other mollusks, they have a soft outer body and an inner shell. They belong to the Cephalopoda class, which includes the octopus, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Cephalopods are divided into two groups: the eight-armed octopods and the ten-armed decapods. Squid are part of the decapod group. Many animals and birds like to eat squid including sperm whales, grey-headed albatross, tuna, marlin, sharks, seals, and penguins. Squid are also part of the human diet, commonly served as calamari. Squid evolved during the Cambrian period, and today only four species remain. Squid can live in a variety of marine environments and come in a range of sizes. They have a long, tube-shaped body with ten arms, two of which are longer than the others. Squid are the most intelligent invertebrates, with a well-developed brain and nervous system. Their body is enclosed in a muscular mantle that absorbs oxygen to breathe, and they excrete waste and defensive ink through a tube called the funnel.
A diver is being chased by a jumbo squid, which is releasing a cloud of ink as it flees. Squids use their funnel to swim, acting like a jet engine that draws water into their mantle cavity by expanding their muscles. They then shoot backward, tail first, as fast as 25 body lengths a second to escape predators. Squid are vulnerable prey with soft bodies, and rely on their speed, agility, and camouflage for defense. They release ink, called sepia, to temporarily confuse predators before escaping. Squid have pigment cells called chromatophores on their arms that they use to blend in with their surroundings. They are carnivorous and eat small fish, crabs, shrimp, and other squid, using their arms to ensnare food and their sharp beaks and tongues to tear and grind it up.
Global warming has a positive impact on squid, as their digestive juices are more productive in warmer waters, making them grow larger and more plentiful. However, squid living in colder depths may not survive in warmer waters. Squid reproduce sexually, with females producing thousands of eggs and males producing sperm that they transfer to the female’s mantle cavity or mouth. Baby squid hatch after four to eight weeks and feed on plankton while they grow to adulthood. Deep-water squid may have longer life spans than other squid.
Different Kinds of Squid
There are approximately 300 species of squid, which can be divided into two major suborders:
myopsida
and
oegopsida
. Squid belonging to the myopsida suborder live in shallow waters and have transparent membranes covering their eyes and suckers on their tentacles. Let’s take a look at some common myopsida species:
- California market squid ( Loligo opalescens) – These squid live in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from Mexico to Alaska, and are commonly found in Monterey Bay, California. They have been harvested by fishermen since the 1800s.
- Common European squid ( Loligo vulgaris) – This species can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. They are usually small, measuring about 16 inches (42 centimeters) in length and weighing around 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms).
- Caribbean reef squid ( Sepioteuthis sepioidea) – These torpedo-shaped squid inhabit the Caribbean Sea and the Florida coast. Unlike most other squid, they have larger fins and are more similar to cuttlefish.
Image credit: Hans Hillewaert, used under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike License 2.5
Common European squid
Squid belonging to the oegopsida suborder live in the deep sea and have tentacles lined with suckers and/or hooks, with no cornea over their eyes. Here are some common oegopsida species:
Image credit: E.Widder/HBOI/ NOAA Ocean Explorer
A bioluminescent squid, shown here with bioluminescent fish, jellyfish and shrimp, lives in the ocean below 1,640 feet (500 meters).
- Shortfin squid ( Illex illecebrosus) – These squid can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, from Florida to Newfoundland, Canada. They have a longer-than-normal migratory period and travel south to lay their eggs in warmer waters.
- Deep-sea luminescent squid ( Taningia danae) – This species lives in depths of up to 3,000 feet in the North Atlantic, and off the coasts of Bermuda, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. To survive in the dark, it creates its own light through bioluminescence, which is produced by photophores. The Taningia danae is named after the Danish research ship, Dana, which caught one of these squid off the coast of the Cape Verde Islands in 1931.
- Humboldt squid ( Dosidicus gigas) – These enormous creatures can be found in the eastern Pacific. They are known for their red skin and aggressive behavior towards prey, including sharks. By adulthood, they can grow up to 7 to 15 feet in length and weigh as much as 100 pounds.
Image credit: NOAA Encyclopedia of the National Marine Sanctuaries
Vampire squid
The vampire squid from hell, belonging to the Vampyromorpha squid order, can be found in the depths of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its red eyes, black body, and webbed arms, which resemble Dracula’s cape, give it a menacing appearance. However, the vampire squid is not aggressive and remains still until its prey comes near, catching it in its webbed arms. Moving on to the giant and colossal squids, myths and legends have long been told about these many-armed sea monsters. These legends were based on sightings of the giant squid, the largest invertebrate in the world, which can grow up to 60 feet and weigh nearly 1,000 pounds. These creatures have eyes the size of soccer balls and tentacles lined with suckers measuring two inches each. Despite their size, very little is known about giant squids, as they are rarely seen. In 2005, a team of Japanese marine biologists captured photographs of a giant squid attacking bait on a line in the Pacific Ocean for the first time and were finally able to capture one a year later.
Scientists have recently gained more knowledge about the colossal squid, a frightening relative of the giant squid. During a fishing expedition in the Antarctic, a New Zealand boat caught a colossal squid that was so large it took nearly two hours to pull it onto the boat. The squid weighed 990 pounds and could have produced calamari the size of tractor tires if it had been cooked. The colossal squid was frozen and taken to New Zealand’s national museum for further study.
For additional information, there are related articles on HowStuffWorks about jellyfish, sharks, whale behavior, SCUBA diving, and cooking seafood, as well as other links to websites with more information and sources.
FAQ
1. What is a squid?
A squid is a marine animal that belongs to the cephalopod family. It has a long and slender body, with eight arms and two tentacles that help it move and catch prey. Squids are known for their ability to change color and shape rapidly, which helps them camouflage and avoid predators.
2. How do squids move?
Squids move by contracting and relaxing their muscles, which creates jet propulsion. They suck water into their mantle cavity and then forcefully expel it through a small tube called a siphon. This allows them to move quickly and efficiently through the water.
3. What do squids eat?
Squids are carnivorous and mainly feed on fish, shrimp, and other small marine animals. They use their long tentacles and arms to catch their prey, and then use their sharp beaks to tear it apart and eat it.
4. How do squids reproduce?
Squids reproduce sexually. The male squid releases sperm packets into the water, which the female squid then picks up with her arms and places into her mantle cavity. The eggs are fertilized inside the female’s body, and she then lays them in clusters on the ocean floor.
5. How long do squids live?
The lifespan of a squid varies depending on the species, but most live for less than two years. Some larger species, such as the giant squid, can live up to five years.
6. What are the different types of squids?
There are over 300 different species of squids, ranging in size from just a few centimeters to over 40 feet long. Some of the most well-known species include the giant squid, the Humboldt squid, and the vampire squid.
7. How do squids defend themselves?
Squids have several defense mechanisms, including changing color and shape to blend in with their surroundings, releasing ink to confuse predators, and using their sharp beaks and tentacles to fight off attackers.
8. Where do squids live?
Squids live in oceans all over the world, from shallow coastal waters to deep sea trenches. They prefer to live in areas with high levels of oxygen and food, such as near the continental shelf.
9. What are some interesting facts about squids?
Squids have three hearts, blue blood, and can grow back lost limbs. They are also incredibly intelligent and have been known to communicate with each other using a variety of signals.
10. How are squids used by humans?
Squids are an important food source for many cultures, and are also used as bait for fishing. Their ink is used in cooking and art, and their beaks have been used as a substitute for plastic. Squids also have potential medical benefits, as some of their proteins have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
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