say say my playmate

animalworld:

madasamarinebiologist:

creature-feature:

• Deep Sea Monster Cephalopod
• Phylogenetic relict = the only species left in it’s group of closely related species
• Max. length = 3O cm
• No threat to humans [to be fair though, if you were able to visit the depths, 6OO - 9OO m, where this squid lives, and…

• Called Vampire Squid as their arms are “caped” with webbing the underside of which is black and lined with spines.
• In a threat response called “pumpkin” or “pineapple posture”, the Vampire Squid inverts its caped arms back over the body, presenting an ostensibly larger form covered in fearsome-looking though harmless spines (called cirri).
• The underside of the cape is heavily pigmented, masking most of the body’s photophores. The glowing arm tips are clustered together far above the animal’s head, diverting attack away from critical areas. If a predator were to bite off an arm tip, the Vampire Squid can regenerate it.
• Copepods, prawns and cnidarians have all been reported as prey of Vampire Squid. Little else is known regarding their feeding habits, but considering their environment, they are likely to be opportunists.
• Vampire Squid have been found among the stomach contents of large deepwater fish, deep diving whales, and pinnipeds such as sea lions.

Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_squid

Other images you may enjoy:

Amazing Octopus camoflage (video)

Octopus showing connective membrane

How Squid Change Color