Humboldt squid: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:04, 13 May 2005

Revision as of 15:13, 13 May 2005

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Humboldt Squid are [[social animal]]s, hunting in schools of up to 1200 individuals. They swim at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour, propelled by water ejected through a [[hyponome]] (siphon) and by two diamond shaped fins. Their [[tentacle]]s bear barbed suckers with which they grasp prey and drag it towards a mouth containing a large, sharp beak.

Humboldt Squid have a lifespan of only about one year, though they may grow to six feet and weigh 100 pounds. They can vary their skin colour from deep purplish red to white using [[chromatophore]]s, specialized skin cells. Their colouring and aggressive nature has earned them the nickname ''diablos rojos'' (red devils) from fishermen off the coast of [[Mexico]]. The squid are fished at night, when they rise to the surface to feed. Luminous[[Hand-line fishing|Hand-line]]s with luminous [[jig (fishing)|jig]]s are used to attract the squid. Thewhich are meatsold isas a delicacy in the [[Far East]]. There are numerous accounts of the squid attacking fishermen and divers in the area and [[cannibalistic]] behaviour is regularly seen.

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