Watch A Terrifying Shoal of Jumbo Squids Catch Dinner (GIFs)

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nightqueen
Jun 22, 2020 6:38 PM EDT

Most people consider sharks to be the most terrifying creatures of the ocean, but I disagree. There are many stranger and more disturbing ocean creatures, especially the deeper you go. Take the Humboldt squid, for example. Learn about these sea monsters below.

After more nature articles? Check out this weird cappuccino sea foam in Australia. 

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  • gif humboldt squid gliding through black water in ocean
    via YouTube

    Behold, the Humboldt squid, also known as the jumbo squid or red devil. These big fellas can be found in the waters of the Humboldt current in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and they're known to be very aggressive towards humans (not all the time, but enough to make us not want to swim with them). 

  • gif humboldt squid flapping ear flippers swimming in ocean
    via YouTube

    So what, you may ask, is so special about these jumbo squids? Firstly, their size. If you're of short or average height, these squids will be longer than you. They weigh up to 50 kg (110 lbs) and they can swim at a speed of 24 km/h (14 m/h). 

  • gif shoal of humboldt squids swimming through water
    via YouTube

    Another unique trait of these ginormous squids is that they travel in shoals of up to 1,500. They usually stay in the depths of the ocean below 2,000 feet - except when it's dinner time. Then, a terrifyingly large pack of giant squids will ascend from their dark lair to eat some fish. Yum. 

  • gif large group of jumbo squids swimming through water in ocean
    via YouTube

    Humboldt squids could definitely compete with sharks for the title of 'best predator in the ocean.' These animals have incredible eyesight, a razor-sharp beak nestled at the base of their tentacles, and eight strong tentacles lined with hundreds of barbed hooks on their suckers, which can tear apart prey. 


  • gif inside of the tentacles of humboldt squid
    via YouTube

    Here are those barbs, if you didn't believe me.

  • gif showing the barbs inside humboldt squid's tentacles
    via YouTube

    Aaand a close up, just to reiterate how deadly these tentacles are. 

  • gif schools of fish swimming away from humboldt squids
    via YouTube

    Jumbo squids also have the ability to change the color and texture of their skin to suit their surroundings or stand out. Humboldt squids flash bright red when they're distressed or angered (hence, the nickname 'red devil'). 


  • gif humboldt squid catching a fish inside its tentacles fast
    via YouTube

    As you can see here, Humboldt squids are lightning fast when catching fish. Although they prefer fish, Humboldt squids are known to eat other squids to accommodate their rapid growth (from 1 millimetre to full size in a year).

  • gif fish swimming quickly to get away from humboldt squid
    via YouTube

    So, before you give sharks the prize of the most ferocious predator, consider the Humboldt squid. I think this creature deserves some recognition. 

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