Common squid. Message about squid Who eats squid
The first mention of this single representative of the genus Mesonychoteuthis dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The famous zoologist Robson G.K. described a colossal squid, the weight of which reached half a ton. In subsequent years, there was no information about it, and the giant creature was almost forgotten. But in 1970, the larvae of this deep-sea monster were found, and 9 years later an adult specimen more than a meter long was discovered. The world first learned about the existence of these mollusks in 1856. After the scientist Steenstrup decided to compare the size of the beak discovered on the ocean shore with the size of an ordinary squid. The result was shocking - according to the data obtained, it turned out that the mollusk must be simply huge.
Description
The colossal squid has an elongated torpedo-shaped body. The length of its mantle reaches three meters, and together with the tentacles - all ten. The weight of especially large representatives can be 500 kilograms. However, there is information about larger mollusks 20 meters long and weighing more than a ton, but this data is not documented.
The mantle is wide, the last third of its length is completed by a narrow sharp tail, surrounded by powerful, thick, terminal fins. They make up almost half the length of the mollusk’s body and, when spread out, form a shape reminiscent of a heart. The mantle is soft, approximately 5-6 cm thick. The infundibular and occipital cartilages are thick, short, slightly curved, and in adult specimens lack tubercles.
The colossal squid has amazing eyes. The photo below gives you a good look at them. Consisting of two photophores, they are truly huge - their diameter reaches 27 centimeters. No known animal on the planet has such giant eyes.
The tentacles are equipped with two rows of round suckers on clubs, two rows of hooks located medially, and small lateral suckers. The squid also has powerful long hunting arms, massive at the base with a wide membrane and thin ends. On the gripping tentacles, or rather in their middle part, there are several pairs of hood-like hooks, and their lower part is equipped with suction cups.
The main weapon that the colossal squid possesses is its hard, powerful chitinous beak.
Habitats
The giant clam is found mainly in Antarctic waters, where it can form aggregations of several individuals. In the northern regions their numbers are smaller, and they hunt mostly alone. Squids have also been found off the coast of South Africa, New Zealand and South America.
The Antarctic colossal squid, the photo of which is posted here, is found at a depth of 2-4 thousand meters and practically does not float to the surface. This makes it difficult to study its behavior in natural conditions.
The hypothetical location of the mollusk can be determined by the temperature of the water surface. Thus, the greatest probability of encountering it is possible at a water temperature of -0.9 to 0 ºС. From December to March they can be seen in high Antarctic latitudes.
Dimensions
Sexual dimorphism is expressed somewhat unusually - female colossal squids are much larger than males. The remains of mollusks of both sexes were found in the stomachs of sperm whales. The length of their bodies was 80-250 centimeters, and their weight was up to 250 kilograms. The largest colossal squid in history was caught by New Zealand fishermen in 2007 in Antarctic waters. The length of his mantle was 3 m, the total length was 10 m, and his weight was 495 kg.
Features of nutrition and reproduction
Of course, little is known about the life of these giant mollusks, but scientists were able to identify a unique ability in them. Their body contains a large amount of ammonium chloride, which helps reduce specific gravity, which gives the squid neutral buoyancy. Thanks to this, they can cut through the water without moving. Thus, predators have the opportunity to camouflage themselves and wait for their prey. They grab prey that swims too close with their tentacles and tear it apart with hooks.
The giants feed mainly on luminous anchovies, mesopelagic fish, and Antarctic toothfish. However, cannibalism is not excluded in their genus. Adult mollusks can eat fry and immature individuals of their species.
Individuals become sexually mature when the length of the mantle is at least 1 meter and the weight is more than 25 kg. Spawning occurs in late winter or early spring.
Enemies
Despite its impressive size, the colossal squid, described above, has its enemies. The main one is the sperm whale. This was determined by the discovered remains of colossal squids in their stomachs. Albatrosses and Antarctic toothfish can feed on small immature individuals.
Naturally, humans are a particularly serious enemy of the deep-sea mollusk. Tender squid meat is used to prepare various dishes. However, if you make a traditional calamari dish from this giant, the diameter of the rings cut from it will be comparable to the diameter of tractor tires.
Cases of attack on a person
More precisely, their attacks on people have been written in many works of fiction. The most famous of them are the works of Jules Verne.
But there are also cases described in real life when a colossal squid attacked ships. Thus, one of the precedents occurred with French sailors during the round-the-world race.
According to one of their yachtsmen, Olivier de Kersuason, a mollusk grabbed their yacht by the stern just a few hours after they left Brittany. Sailors said that a deep-sea giant wrapped its thick tentacles, thicker than a human leg, around the ship and began to pull the ship into the sea. With two tentacles he blocked the ship's rudder. But fortunately, the yachtsmen did not have to fight him off. As soon as the yacht stopped, the mollusk loosened its grip and disappeared into the depths of the ocean.
As the sailors later said, the length of the squid’s body exceeded 8 meters, and if the creature had turned out to be more aggressive, it would have been quite capable of turning over and sinking the yacht.
Little-known predators
In total, scientists have recorded about 250 cases of human encounters with colossal squid, but only a few managed to see this giant alive. The scientists themselves did not have such an opportunity. They have to study only the remains extracted from the stomachs of sea predators, and bodies washed ashore or caught by sailors.
Although little known, the colossal squid is incomparable with any other representative of its class. Its dimensions and photos can amaze anyone. Deep-sea colossi, according to some sources, reach a length of 20 meters and weigh up to a ton.
How many years these giants live in the world remains a mystery. It is possible that quite a bit, since the lifespan of many already studied squid species is just over a year.
Since ancient times, myths have circulated among people about giant monsters from the abyss, thirsting for the blood and flesh of sailor travelers. The uncharted depths of the ocean, which could not be conquered then, were the object and main reason for inventions, fairy tales and terrible fables concerning its mysterious inhabitants. It is worth saying that even today no one can say for sure that the planet’s water space, the so-called abyss, has been fully studied. Ancient records tell how monsters with huge tentacles from the depths of the sea attacked ships and galleys, carrying them into the abyss. Those who managed to stay alive after the attack very often embellished their stories about unprecedented creatures, attributing fictitious abilities to the monsters and distorting their appearance. Due to all the above-mentioned factors, it was almost impossible to determine who exactly the wanderers met with.
Today the situation has changed somewhat, and mankind has learned a lot about some unusual inhabitants of the seas and oceans. In the article we would like to talk about the largest squid in the world, namely, talk about their distinctive features, the characteristic features of the species and provide interesting and reliable facts about the huge sea monsters.
Habitat of huge mollusks
It is known for certain that there are giant squids on earth that live in the depths of the waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. Also, these cephalopods can live in seas, both warm and cold. People have more than once managed to catch individuals that could be called the largest squid in the world. Sometimes it even happened that the giant was cut down by the ship's propellers when he tried to attack. However, when such events took place for the first time, humanity did not have the necessary equipment to study the characteristics of the captured animal. Modern technologies make it possible to thoroughly examine these living creatures and provide complete information about them.
Giant Architeuthis and the first mention of it
One of the largest inhabitants of the ocean depths is considered to be the giant squid, or Architeuthis, as it is called in scientific books. Individuals of this species prefer to be in temperate and subtropical latitudes of all 4 oceans. Giant squids live at a depth of several kilometers and only sometimes swim to the surface. The first mention of architeuthis occurs at the end of the 19th century. During another sea voyage in 1887, which took place near the coast of New Zealand, sailors discovered a strange and frightening creature. It was not difficult to notice, because the storm waves simply washed the huge mollusk onto land. According to the data that the expedition was able to obtain on the spot, the size of the unusual find was amazing. The length of the monster's body reached incredible dimensions - 17.5 meters, and 5 of them were only tentacles. The mantle of an adult individual was also by no means small - about 2 meters. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish the exact weight of the sea monster at that time, but judging by the given parameters, it was quite large.
A successful attempt to explore a huge inhabitant of the depths
The next specimen, called one of the largest squids in the world, was discovered in Antarctica 120 years after the first mention of the sea monster. In 2007, fishermen caught a deep-sea inhabitant whose body reached 9 meters in length. Then the weight of the find was easy to establish, because fishing tankers currently have all the necessary equipment for weighing the catch directly on board. The giant squid surprised the crew with its size, as its mass was just over 500 kilograms.
The terrifying Mesonychoteuthis
It is now known for certain that Architeuthis is far from the only species of inhabitants of the depths that frighten humanity with its size. Since time immemorial, there has been another representative of giant monsters of the cephalopod species on earth - mesonychoteuthis. This giant squid monster is considered one of the largest in modern times. It can be called a close relative of Architeuthis, only it is much more majestic. Mesonychoteuthis is the only representative of its genus, because, unlike Architeuthis, its weight is somewhat larger: the mantle of adult individuals alone reaches a mind-boggling size - its length is equal to four meters. By the way, another name for a giant is colossal.
The contents of the sperm whale's stomach, which revealed new facts to science
The first records of Mesonychoteuthys were made in the early 19th century. British zoologist Robson examined tentacles taken from the stomach of a sperm whale caught on the southern islands of Scotland and came to the conclusion that they could only belong to the aforementioned sea giant. Subsequently, for many years, no information regarding cephalopod monster squids was reported.
Great luck for scientists
A significant period of time after Robson’s study of the tentacles of the sea monster, scientists discovered 4 eggs in the far Atlantic, presumably left by mollusks. Having studied their composition and origin, they came to the conclusion that the eggs actually belonged to a female squid of a rare species, mesonychoteuthis. Scientific data appeared in 1970, that is, almost 50 years after Robson’s first experiment. The characteristics and features of the surviving masonry were carefully studied by experienced specialists of the time. And 9 years after the research work, it was possible to catch an adult specimen of mesonychoteuthis. Her mantle measured 117 cm in length, and she was the largest female squid in the world.
Bloodthirsty and terrible kraken: fiction or reality?
There are legends about giant squids, whose history goes back to the distant past. Ancient sailors told tales about sea monsters that attacked ships, engulfed them with their tentacles and carried away all living things to the seabed. These mythical creatures at that time were nicknamed krakens. Until the end of the 16th century they were considered fictitious. However, after a while, humanity was convinced of the opposite, because the kraken washed up on the shores of Western Ireland was first found and subsequently presented as an exhibit in the Dublin Museum. By the way, the kraken is the largest squid in the world that science knows today.
Distinctive features of the kraken
The giant mollusk differs from other ocean inhabitants by its head, which has a cylindrical shape, on which is located something resembling a bird’s beak. It is with this that he captures and grinds prey. The eyes of the kraken are considered the largest in comparison with the organs of vision of all other animals living on planet Earth. Their diameter is 25 cm. The color of the creature changes depending on its mood: from dark green to blood red. The largest squid in the world and its peculiarity in the form of a spike-shaped tongue, with which the mollusk pushes prey into the stomach, instills fear even in experienced sailors.
Giants attack people
It is worth noting that the captain of a Norwegian fishing tanker, Arne Grönningseter, recently told the public an amazing story about a huge kraken. According to him, giants pose an incredible danger to people who devote their lives to fishing, or simply those who like to be at sea. The fact is that his ship Brunswick was attacked several times by the aforementioned monster. The captain spoke about the tactics that the mollusk chooses for attack: it first floats to the surface of the water from the abyss, then accompanies the ship for a short time, as if waiting for a certain moment, and then with lightning speed it emerges from the water and pounces on the ship. Only due to the fact that the tentacles of the cephalopod monster could not catch on the surface of the deck and the hull of the ship, the crew managed to escape and remain unharmed in the unequal battle.
Fixed values
If we talk about specific figures that relate to the dimensions of huge underwater inhabitants, and answer the question about the size of the largest squid in the world (their body length), then we should disappoint seekers of such information. To this day, science has not established any specific values. Experts only suggest that the body length of cephalopods that live in the waters of the World Ocean and prefer its very bottom can exceed 50 meters.
Interesting facts about giant squids
There are several fascinating and real facts about the life of the huge and frightening inhabitants of the depths. We will list only the most interesting of them:
- Currently, a mammal is known that can attack one of the largest squids in the world (its name is Architeuthis) - the sperm whale. In the old days and to this day, real fights took place between opponents, in which, as a rule, the sperm whale won. It was thanks to the contents of the mammal’s stomach that science was able to establish the very fact of the existence of a deep-sea giant.
- The first photos of an adult giant squid were taken in Japan. An overgrown mollusk was found on the surface of ocean waters and pulled ashore. It was not possible to keep the exclusive inhabitant of marine fauna alive. The squid died within 24 hours of being removed from the water. Today, the remains of this creature are kept in the Japanese Museum of Nature and Science.
- The “buoyancy” of the largest squid in the world, the size of which is truly amazing, is due to the content of an aluminum chloride solution in their body, which has a lower density than sea water. Because of this property, which distinguishes it from other marine life that has an air bubble, the deep-sea giant squid is unsuitable for human food.
- The age of squids is determined by their beak.
- Unlike other deep-sea inhabitants, the brain and nervous system of squids are unusually developed and still remain a mystery and a subject of research for scientists and specialists in this field.
- Despite their impressive size, giant squids can remain invisible to their prey. This is evidenced by the imprints of suckers on the bodies of whales exposed to attacks by these monsters. Scientists have proven that architeuthis, mesonychoteuthys and krakens lead a passive lifestyle. However, when hunting prey, they show activity and resourcefulness.
- In anticipation of danger, the colossal squid releases a protective fluid that is fatal to humans and other sea creatures.
- One suction cup, which is located directly on the tentacles of the giant squid, will hold about 20 liters of water.
Results
In conclusion, I would like to say that it doesn’t matter at all what the world’s largest squid looks like. The stories that sailors told about giant krakens go back to the distant past. Only facts remain - irrefutable, reliable. But here’s the paradox: some of them still remain a mystery to zoologists. Today, everyone knows only that giant squids are not a fiction, but a reality that is covered in a veil of mystery.
Squids are the largest and most agile cephalopods. About 300 species of these animals are known in nature, among which there are amazing life forms. Their closest relatives are octopuses and cuttlefish. The hellish vampire squid, classified as a separate order, occupies a special systematic position. In fact, it is an intermediate form between squid and octopus.
Southern sepioteuthis squid (Sepioteuthis australis).
The general physique of squids is similar to octopuses and cuttlefish. Their internal organs are placed in a cavity sac - the mantle. The large head is crowned in front by a bun of 8 arms. In addition, near the mouth there are two more hunting tentacles armed with powerful suckers; in some species the suckers turn into hooks.
A squid with outstretched arms and hunting tentacles.
Between the tentacles are beak-shaped jaws. The blood of these mollusks is blue. The excretory organs of squid produce ammonia, which gives their meat a specific smell. Like cuttlefish and octopuses, squids are highly intelligent; their brains are enclosed in a cartilaginous box - a kind of prototype of the skull. True, their chromatophores (pigmented skin cells) are very poorly developed, so squids cannot change body color and thus transmit signals to their relatives. But their intelligence is manifested in the ability to quickly process information, which is very important for such active animals. These mollusks have the thickest nerve fibers among all living creatures, their thickness (and therefore the speed of the nervous system) is 100 times greater than the thickness of human nerves!
The eyes of squids are relatively large and are similar in structure to the eyes of vertebrates. They also have binocular vision, which allows them to focus their gaze on prey and determine the distance to it with great accuracy.
Squids differ from other cephalopods in their oblong-cylindrical body shape. They do not have membranes between the tentacles, but on the sides there are small diamond-shaped wings. In some species they can stretch almost the entire length of the body, and this makes squids similar to cuttlefish. Wings play a supporting role in swimming. The forward movement is carried out by pushing water out of a special siphon tube, thus creating a very powerful jet stream. Squids can turn the siphon in different directions and instantly change the direction of movement, reverse; moreover, if necessary, many species are able to jump out of the water and fly tens of meters above the waves.
Bartram's flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) glides above the waves with its tentacles and wings spread out.
The hellish vampire squid looks very unusual. This is the only species of these mollusks that has a real membrane between the tentacles. Because of this, it was first classified as an octopus, and only later did scientists discover signs of squid in this species. Now this species is classified as a special order and occupies an intermediate position between true squids and octopuses. This relict inhabitant of great depths received its unflattering name because of its bright red color and ability to phosphorescent in the dark; nothing else unites it with hell and especially vampires.
The hellish vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infrnalis) reaches a length of only 37 cm and has nothing demonic in its appearance.
Most squids are not very brightly colored; they are more often white, bluish, and pinkish in color. Their body is devoid of complex patterns, but many of them are able to glow in the dark in purple or blue. This glow is provided by special bacteria that live in the tissues of mollusks. The accumulation of many phosphorescent squids is a fabulous sight! The sizes of these animals also vary widely. Most species of squid are small, their length ranges from 25 cm to 1 m. But there are exceptions to this rule. The smallest species is the dwarf piglet squid, barely reaching a length of 10 cm, and the largest is the giant squid. The existence of these animals has been known since ancient times; the northern peoples have many legends describing the kraken - a monster with tentacles that attacks entire ships. Scientists could not find the giant squid for a long time, so the kraken was declared a fiction. And only in the second half of the twentieth century, as a result of the development of the ocean, researchers began to come across, first, huge pieces of tentacles, and then the entire remains of colossal mollusks. Of course, they do not attack ships, but the size of the giant squid is amazing: it reaches 18 m in length, of which about 12 m are tentacles!
The pygmy piglet squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi) gets its name from its barrel-shaped body and tiny “snout”, which is actually a photophore.
Squids live exclusively in salty waters - from the warm tropics to the Arctic regions. In the seas and oceans they have mastered all niches: some species live in the water column at a depth of 100-500 m, others prefer to stay close to the surface, others are found exclusively at great depths (up to 1500 m) and never see the sun. Deep-sea squid are often solitary, but small species that live near the surface live in schools. All types of squid are very mobile and spend their entire lives swimming; they do not have permanent habitats. Moreover, many species perform daily vertical migrations, rising to the surface of the water at night, as well as annual spawning migrations. In the latter case, in three months of travel, squids cover more than 3000 km, that is, on average they swim 30 km per day! It is not surprising that their migrations take place at cruising speed. Flying squids are especially mobile; many of their species can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h! The smallest species, on the contrary, are planktonic; instead of actively swimming, they drift with the current. This drift is provided by another amazing ability of these animals - neutral buoyancy. In the body of planktonic squids there is a bladder filled with ammonium chloride (ammonia). This liquid is lighter than water, so the mollusks, even if motionless, do not drown.
The body of the Hawaiian short-tail squid (Euprymba scolopes) is colored with symbiotic luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri).
Depending on the size of the squid itself, its prey can be both small planktonic organisms and relatively large animals: fish, pteropods, squid of other species, and even its own juveniles. The giant squid preys on large deep-sea fish. Cases of attacks on sperm whales are often attributed to this mollusk, citing its large size, but this is not true, since even the largest squid weighs up to 800 kg, and the sperm whale weighs 30-50 tons. It is clear that even with long tentacles, the giant squid is not able to cope with such prey. Contrary to the tales of sailors, it also never attacks ships, since it lives at great depths. No one has ever seen a living, healthy giant squid; only dead or dying specimens have fallen into the hands of researchers. Squids catch their prey using tentacles (not to be confused with hands), and in some mollusks the tentacles can significantly lengthen and shorten. By casting this unique fishing rod, the squid is able to catch prey without approaching it closely. Fluorescence is also used to lure victims.
This is what phosphorescent squids look like in complete darkness.
Reproduction in squids usually occurs once a year in certain spawning areas with a favorable hydrological regime. During this period, the males wrap their arms around the female and present her with a spermatophore. The female places this packet of sperm next to her eggs and immediately hurries to the bottom. One female lays up to several dozen eggs, similar to elongated snow-white cans. Sometimes the female hides them in a shelter, sometimes attaches them to algae, and more often places them on a flat bottom. In places of mass squid spawning, many clutches form a continuous carpet, which sways fantastically under the influence of currents. The larvae of many squids at first are not very similar to their parents, but they grow very quickly and reach sexual maturity by 1-2 years.
Mating Tasmanian squid (Euprymna tasmanica).
Since squids are common species of animals, they are hunted by everyone in the sea. Small species are eaten by gulls, albatross, petrels, as well as larger squid. Dolphins hunt for larger shellfish, and the largest and deep-sea species are the main food of sperm whales. They use many tricks to protect themselves from enemies. Firstly, squids, like octopuses, have an ink sac containing a dark liquid, which they release in case of danger, disorienting the enemy. Secondly, fast-swimming species rely on speed, including flight, which saves them from many fish. Finally, in deep-sea species, photophores (luminescent organs) serve as deterrents. It turns out that squids are able not only to passively glow, but also to regulate the glow, suddenly flashing with bright lights. Moreover, the magic lamp squid is capable of releasing a luminous liquid: while the enemy wanders in the sparkling cloud, the squid quietly disappears from sight.
A newborn squid against the background of eggs, inside of which its fellow embryos are visible.
Squid are caught in large quantities in almost all fishing areas. Their meat is used in the cuisine of many countries; it is nutritious and tasty, cooks quickly and is easily digestible. The harvest of these animals must be regulated to avoid overfishing. Many deep-sea species are still little studied and are known from isolated specimens accidentally collected.
There are many interesting things in the depths of the sea. The most unusual are the phosphorescent inhabitants of the deep sea. Squid is one of the few animals endowed with this ability.
The underwater world is a mysterious environment that has not yet been fully explored. Among the inhabitants of the depths there are creatures that not only amaze with their beauty, but also horrify with their size and strength. One of these amazing creatures is the common squid - a representative of the order of ten-armed mollusks, belonging to the class of cephalopods.
How to recognize a squid externally?
The average body length of this mollusk is 50 centimeters. One individual can weigh about one and a half kilograms, while female individuals are smaller than male ones. The body color has gray and red tones. There are fins on the sides of the body - the common squid has two of them. Therefore, when the fins are in a straightened state, the body takes on a diamond shape.
Near the mouth opening, in a circle, there are 10 tentacles equipped with suction cups. And in the animal’s mantle there is a special bag with ink, which the squid uses in case of danger. When a mollusk needs to quickly hide from an enemy, it simply releases an inky liquid and swims away from its pursuer, leaving it in a black cloud.
Squid habitats
The eastern part of the northern regions of the Atlantic Ocean (from the western coast of the African continent to the North Sea) is densely populated by squids; in addition, this animal is found in the Adriatic and Mediterranean.
The habitat depth of this animal is up to 100 meters, however, observations of the mollusk have shown that it can live at a depth of 400 to 500 meters! Prefers silty or sandy soil.
Animal lifestyle
Squids are migratory mollusks; they travel great distances in search of food. The squid cannot be called either a solitary or a school animal, therefore there are both solitary individuals and large groups. If squids gather in a group and live together, then they hunt together.
The pygmy piglet squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi) gets its name from its barrel-shaped body and tiny “snout”, which is actually a photophore Typically, the depth of habitat under water for the common squid ranges from 20 to 50 meters, however, for the most part, the depth of residence depends on the time of year: in the summer months the mollusk swims closer to the surface of the water, and in winter it goes deeper.
The squid often swims leisurely, making graceful strokes of its fins, but, if necessary, it can develop greater speed: to do this, it begins to rhythmically contract its muscles, thereby absorbing a large amount of water under the mantle, then, through a sharp release of water, it quickly pushes your body forward.
Squid diet
Squid is a predator. The basis of his “dining table” is fish. But the squid does not disdain crayfish, polychaete worms, as well as other representatives of the class of cephalopods. Scientists have even recorded cases of cannibalism.
The process of catching food goes like this: with two tentacles, the squid captures the victim, killing it with its poison. After the “food” is immobilized, the animal begins to systematically, slowly, tear off pieces from the victim and eat them.
Reproduction of mollusks
Immediately after the end of the winter months, the squid's breeding season begins. Breeding involves the formation of an egg clutch that looks like a sausage. Squids attach their clutches to stationary rocks and sometimes to shells of marine mollusks. Often, egg laying occurs at a depth of up to 30 meters.
Squids are the most mobile mollusks belonging to the class of cephalopods. They are capable of moving at enormous speeds, which can reach 200 km/h. Usually their size does not exceed 0.5 meters, but there are also huge squids that can reach 17 meters in length. There are more than 300 different species of squid around the globe.
Squids are inhabitants of the seas and oceans; they prefer salty waters. They can be found both in the tropical region and in the cold arctic regions. Basically, the depth suitable for squids to live does not exceed 500 meters, and many generally prefer to stay closer to the surface. However, there are species of squid that live at great depths in almost complete darkness.
Based on their body structure, squids can be called close relatives of octopuses and cuttlefish. It is divided into a head and a body, with muscular tentacles located around the mouth - squids have ten of them. The tentacles are equipped with suction cups. In the body cavity there is also a bladder filled with liquid, which is lighter than water. Due to this, neutral buoyancy is created - that is, the squids do not sink even when completely motionless. Squids breathe underwater using gills.
They move by throwing out a stream of water from the body cavity - the mantle, which is released through a special tube called a siphon. The squid also has three hearts, and its blood is blue. The thing is that the blood of squids and other cephalopods contains hemocyanin instead of hemoglobin, so the blood is saturated with copper.
Squid colors range from gray and white to red, yellow and green.
Depending on their size, squids can feed on tiny aquatic organisms such as plankton, shellfish and fish. Sometimes squids do not hesitate to dine on their unwary fellow. When catching prey, tentacles are used, with which the squid can grab and hold its future lunch. Since the squid's tentacles are very long, they allow them to capture prey from a distance.
If it needs to defend itself from a stronger predator, the squid can throw a colored liquid similar to ink into the water. While the cloud slowly dissipates, the squid can escape.
The breeding process of squids is long, spawning occurs once a year. To do this, they migrate to certain spawning areas characterized by the most comfortable hydrological regime.
Option 2
Squid is a mollusk. They can be found in the seas. For humans, squid is valuable, since its meat is considered a delicacy. It can often be found on Mediterranean cuisine tables. Squid dishes are very popular. There is a huge variety of dishes.
One of the famous species is the reddish squid. They move very quickly. Externally they resemble torpedoes. The size of squid reaches about 30 centimeters. Weight from 250 grams to 1 kilogram. Squids can swim well. This is due to the well-streamlined shape of the body. Its body is pointed at the end. There are 2 triangular fins. The head is directed backward while swimming. It has 10 tentacles with suction cups. When fishermen catch squid, they do not look presentable.
Giant squids exist in nature. Their length reaches up to 8 meters. The tentacles are extended. They are recognized as the largest invertebrate animals in the world. Such individuals live at a depth of 1000 meters.
Squids are recognized as predators. They use their dexterous tentacles to catch prey and defend themselves. Many types of squid have 3 hearts. Each is connected to a pair of main tentacles. It is because of this feature that squids are capable of regeneration.
Squids reproduce very quickly. Reach high numbers. For example, the Argentine squid grows 40 centimeters in length per year. It multiplies and immediately dies.
Squid reproduction begins in the spring. During darkness. This happens in the northern seas. Laying occurs in the form of the deposition of oblong eggs. They are attached to something stationary at a depth of 20-25 meters. There are squids that lay their eggs in a common place. Squid larvae look similar to adults. The only difference is the sizes. Squids grow into full-fledged individuals within a month.
Squids eat small fish and crustaceans. But most often they themselves become prey to predators. People also use them for food. Squid is recognized as a delicacy product. It is also used as a medicinal raw material.
As already mentioned, most types of squid are edible. They are subject to fishing. A person eats only the carcass. The skin is carefully removed. The main methods of preparation are called boiling, stewing with seasonings, canning, etc.
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- Writer Tatyana Tolstaya. Life and art
Tatyana Nikitichna Tolstaya (born in 1951) is one of the famous Russian writers, whose works are worldwide popular and are also published and translated in different countries.
Each person is a small part of society and each of us has our own status. Some are higher, some are lower, but we all need to be civilized people in our speech.
