The vampire squid, known to scientists as Vampyroteuthis infernalis, looks more like something that swam out of a late-night science fiction movie. The squid has large fins at the to of its body that resemble large ears. It is very gelatinous in form, resembling a jellyfish more than the common squid. The vampire squid has the largest eyes relative to its body size of any animal. Though it is relatively small, growing to a length of only about six inches, it has globular eyeballs as large as the eyes of a large dog. The vampire squid's body is covered with light-producing organs called photophores. This gives the squid the unique ability to "turn itself on or off" at will.
When the photophores are off, the squid is completely invisible in the
dark waters where it lives. These squid live as deep as 3000 feet.
Unlike other squid and octopi, the vampire squid has no ink sack. The
squid's arms are covered with sharp tooth-like spikes. This is what
gives the animal its unique name. One pair of arms has been modified
into retractile filaments that can extend to twice the body length of
the animal. The squid may use these arms to capture its prey. When
threatened, the squid can draw its arms up over itself and form a
defensive web that covers its body. The vampire squid can swim extremely
fast for a gelatinous animal. It can reach a speed of 2 body lengths
per second and can accelerate to this speed in only 5 seconds. If danger
is present, it can make several quick turns in an attempt to escape its
enemies. The vampire squid is found throughout the world in most
tropical and temperate regions.
The vampire squid, known to scientists as Vampyroteuthis infernalis, looks more like something that swam out of a late-night science fiction movie. The squid has large fins at the to of its body that resemble large ears. It is very gelatinous in form, resembling a jellyfish more than the common squid. The vampire squid has the largest eyes relative to its body size of any animal. Though it is relatively small, growing to a length of only about six inches, it has globular eyeballs as large as the eyes of a large dog. The vampire squid's body is covered with light-producing organs called photophores. This gives the squid the unique ability to "turn itself on or off" at will.
When the photophores are off, the squid is completely invisible in the
dark waters where it lives. These squid live as deep as 3000 feet.
Unlike other squid and octopi, the vampire squid has no ink sack. The
squid's arms are covered with sharp tooth-like spikes. This is what
gives the animal its unique name. One pair of arms has been modified
into retractile filaments that can extend to twice the body length of
the animal. The squid may use these arms to capture its prey. When
threatened, the squid can draw its arms up over itself and form a
defensive web that covers its body. The vampire squid can swim extremely
fast for a gelatinous animal. It can reach a speed of 2 body lengths
per second and can accelerate to this speed in only 5 seconds. If danger
is present, it can make several quick turns in an attempt to escape its
enemies. The vampire squid is found throughout the world in most
tropical and temperate regions. 
1 comment:
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