Ten Sensational Squids: Humboldt Squid (#9)
January 19, 2010
9. Dosidicus gigas (Humboldt Squid)
photo by Sheraz Sadiq (from Flickr/kqedquest)
The Humboldt Squid (aka the Jumbo Squid, aka the Jumbo Flying Squid, aka Diablo Rojo, aka the Red Devil) was the star of the minor, and poorly researched, media frenzy this past Summer that I like to call Squidvasion! 2009. Although there’s no excuse for lazy science reporting, I can understand the impulse to occasionally over-sensationalize an animal as cool as Dosidicus gigas. They can grow up to 7 ft long and posses tentacles with razor-sharp suckers for crying out loud! They also have the ability to instantly change their color from white to a deep blood-red, and, as the name “Jumbo Flying Squid” suggests, they have been known to eject themselves out of the water to avoid predators. Humboldts are the most common species of large squid, at least of those that we are able to easily observe. They travel in large shoals of up to 1,200 individuals and come to the surface at night to feed. Their vicious and voracious reputation has probably been a wee bit exaggerated, but I would still think twice before going swimming with a thousand man-sized predatory squid! Of course it would be another story completely if I had a suit of anti-squid armor!
This video by KQED, starts off a little on the cheesy side (and features a talking head that insists on calling them “fish”), but that soon gives way to a very informative and level-headed look at the biology of D. gigas and how its recent expansion of range may be connected with global climate change. Of course the best part is all the excellent footage of Jumbo Squids in action!
cephalopod refrigerator magnets
August 31, 2009
Both of these magnetic cephalopods came from the gift shop at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Their arms and tentacles are spring-mounted so they wiggle when the refrigerator door is opened. I’m not sure what kind of octopus that is supposed to be (if any), but the squid seems to be Humboldt—it’s arms are even splayed out in a manner that I’ve seen in footage of the large Pacific squid. The two mollusks are enjoying a snack of delicious-looking mini sushi magnets from Morgan Imports in Durham, NC.
Squidvasion! Update: Check Your Facts!
July 21, 2009
As Dr. M at Deep-Sea News deftly points out…
The Giant Squid (Architeuthis dux) and the Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) are two very different animals. So, no matter what many in the media are reporting, thousands of Giant Squids did not wash ashore after an earthquake, and Giant Squid are not invading the waters off Southern California.
Squid Fail indeed.
Squidvasion!
July 17, 2009
This very dramatic video further documents the recent invasion of Humboldt Squid into the waters of Southern California…
From NBC Bay Area via Pharyngula
The Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus giga) is a large predatory squid found all along the Pacific coast of North America. Also known as the Jumbo Squid, the Jumbo Flying Squid, and the Red Devil, Humboldts can grow up to 7 ft long and weigh as much as 100 lbs. They generally inhabit deep water, but come to the surface at night to feed. They can be very aggressive, and have reportedly attacked divers and fishermen.
Could a realatively minor earthquake (magnitude 4.0) really cause a school of squid to beach themselves? The experts seem to think it is just a coincidence, and point out that these type of strandings, while rare, have happened before.
