Characteristics of the Squid, Types, What does it eat? and more

The squids, the teutidos or scientifically called Teuthida, are an order of cephalopod molluscs with a highly developed intelligence, not to mention that they are marine and carnivorous animals. These curious animals represent one of the most mysterious and diverse faunas of the entire animal kingdom, since their natural habitat includes waters so deep that not even humans have managed to explore them. If you want to learn much more about El Calamar, don't hesitate for a moment to continue reading this great article.

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The squid

The order of the theutids, in turn, has two other suborders, which are called Myopsida and Oegopsida, in fact, the latter to the famous giant squid and the colossal squid. Squids are regularly confused with octopuses, and although they do have an undeniable resemblance, both species have completely unique characteristics that differentiate them from each other.

According to different investigations that have been made about the origin of the squid, the first ancestors of this species gave signs of life approximately 500 million years ago and were completely covered with quite large conical shells, shells that over the years they were disappearing.

Squid species

All species of squid present a great diversity in terms of their external and internal anatomy. On the one hand, we can find small squid that can barely reach a few centimeters in total length, while on the other, we find colossal squid, many of which have been described in popular culture as sea monsters with giant tentacles. . However, they are not animals to have, since squids never seek human beings for their food, although at no time should you underestimate the immense strength that these animals exert when they feel threatened in any way.

Despite this, the exact number of squid species that exist today is completely unknown, however, a wide variety of different species have been studied. These species normally have a very intense red color, have a grayish appearance, and are completely covered with chromatophores that reflect very beautiful color tones. Also, these species have different unique characteristics in terms of their physiognomy, many are very small, medium, others are giant, they even have a "vampiresque" appearance, even some species can be out on the surface.

El Calamar

As we mentioned before, the squids or teutidos are an order that is made up of two suborders that are called Myopsida and Oegopsida, and within these suborders we can find a very large variety of squid species, however, among the best known species Of all we can highlight some such as the following:

Vampire Squid: 

This is a species of cephalopod mollusc animal, normally its skin has very intense reddish tones or reddish brown, the same tones that combine perfectly with its red eyes. The main characteristic that differentiates it from other species is that it has a very thin and elastic layer of skin which connects its eight arms, which are also equipped with different fleshy spines called cirri. In addition to this, they have an appearance very similar to that of a vampire, hence their name.

It is also very important to note that scientifically these squids are called Vampyroteuthis infernalis, and they are part of the small squid species, since they barely reach a total length of between 26 and 30 centimeters. These little squid usually spend most of their lives at depths of 900 meters where sunlight is very scarce, as is oxygen. As a curious fact, it is mentioned that these little ones totally lack an ink bag, something that the vast majority of species do have.

Humboldt squid: 

These large squid also receive different names, such as Pacific squid or jumbo squid. One of the characteristics for which this species is best known is for its aggressive character with human beings, although it is said that this is closely determined by its interruptions in feeding. This species of squid has a fairly reddish skin that under the sea can appear a pale grayish tone. It is very important to mention that they regularly reach a size of up to 1.9 meters only in their mantle.

Giant squid: 

This is probably the most famous squid species of all, they normally reach a total length of between nine and ten meters, however, there is another species that can exceed these impressive measurements. The anatomy of this animal is quite strange, it looks like a being from another planet, these squids have red skin with different white spots all over their body, a very large head, and eight tentacles. They are extremely difficult animals to observe, however, specimens of up to thirteen meters in length have been measured, not to mention that they can weigh 900 kilograms.

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Colossal Squid: 

A few years ago, it was thought that the giant squid was the largest invertebrate animal that existed, however, years later the great colossal squid was discovered, which exceeds it in both length and weight. These huge squids are also called Antarctic cranquiluria and their discovery was quite recent, in fact, it was discovered in 1925 in the stomach of a sperm whale. Unfortunately, they are extremely difficult animals to observe, and the few that have been studied average between 10 and 14 meters in length, not to mention their weight, which averages about 750 kilograms.

Characteristics of the Squid

One of the most notorious and characteristic distinctions that squids have, in addition to their tentacles, is a large and elongated mantle and their peculiar feeding beak. Within this mantle there are many anatomical parts, many more than we can even think of, while their beak is the fundamental piece they have to feed themselves, since, with this, they grind all their food; in fact, it is so rigid that its predators cannot even crush and digest it properly, it goes straight to its stomach intact.

Food

The diet that squids have is extremely varied, as well as the large number of species that exist, this is due to the fact that their feeding habits change according to their age, geographical location and size. These normally remain quite solitary, however, they manage to join with schools or in any other area where they can take advantage of the ease of this to capture their prey. Squid have a very extensive worldwide distribution, these range from the coldest waters, to different tropical and subtropical regions, all these regions are adapted to the species of squid and the nutritional needs they have.

Reproduction

These are quite mysterious animals, and one of the most unknown stages by human beings about these animals is their reproduction process, this is because it is not very common for squid to interact with each other and to reproduce, well, the habitat where they live is vast, not to mention that encounters between males and females are extremely rare. However, according to different scientific studies, it is known that the squid's spermatophores play a fundamental role in the production of future offspring. Although temperature and other factors in your environment can also play a determining role.

Threats

Unfortunately, newborn squid are one of the main targets for all their predators, it is something that is unavoidable and very common. However, the same cannot be said for the largest species of squid, such as the giant squid or the colossal squid, which on average reach lengths of between 10 and 14 meters. In the case of these squid, the only predator they have is one of the largest cetaceans that exists, which can easily overcome the strength and size of these squid.

On the other hand, in the case of the smaller squid species, they face the different pinnipeds, very large fish, birds, among other types of animals within the marine fauna. Even many of these squids tend to attack each other and commit cannibalism; however, it must be remembered that its main enemy today is the human being.

Despite currently, the squid is not considered an animal under threat or in danger of extinction, however, there is a great lack of knowledge about the size of its population, which sets off the alarms, because, really, you do not have an idea. clear about how much commercial fishing may be affecting these animals, not to mention that due to this lack of knowledge, controls cannot be carried out to stop uncontrolled fishing.

Initially, it did not seem to be a problem, since large amounts of hundreds of tons were captured per year, however, in recent years the demand has increased much more, and for this reason, today hundreds of thousands of tons are captured every year, which can be a threat to food chains in the oceans.

If you want to learn much more about all the animals throughout the entire planet Earth, do not hesitate for a single moment to leave without first having read these three wonderful articles:

Phocas

Shark Characteristics

Tiger Characteristics


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