Humboldt Squid

About Humboldt Squid

The Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as Jumbo Squid, Jumbo Flying Squid, or Diablo Rojo (Red Devil), is a large, aggressive predatory squid found in the waters of the Humboldt Current in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. They are most commonly found at depths of 200-700 metres (600 to 2300 feet), from Tierra del Fuego to California. Recent findings suggest the range of this species is spreading north into the waters of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Though they usually prefer deep water, between 1,000 and 1,500 squid washed up on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington in the fall of 2004.

Humboldt Squid are carnivores that move in schools of up to 1200 individuals. They swim at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h, 13 knots) propelled by water ejected through a hyponome (siphon) and by two diamond shaped fins. Their tentacles bear suckers lined with sharp teeth with which they grasp prey and drag it towards a large, sharp beak.

Humboldt Squid are thought to have a lifespan of only about one year (although some researchers believe they may survive up to four years). They may grow to 2 m (7 ft) and weigh 45 kg (100 pounds), growing at an astounding rate. They can rapidly change their skin colour from deep purplish red to white using chromatophores (specialized skin cells) in what some researchers believe is a complex communication system. Experts have also stated that the animals hunt for their prey, small fish and krill, in a cooperative fashion, which would be the first observation of such behaviour in invertebrates. Humboldt squid are known to hunt near the surface at night, taking advantage of the dark to use their keen vision to feed on more plentiful prey. There have been reports of these squid attacking divers and fishermen in the Sea of Cortez.The shallowest depths Humboldt Squid's daytime habitat are only within reach of the extremes of Saturation diving, so little is known of what they do during the day.