What are vampire squids? Where do they live and why are they called vampire? Stuart Blackman explains all <\/p>
Strange things lurk in the planet\u2019s deepest, darkest corners. And it doesn\u2019t get much deeper and darker than the bottom of the ocean, or stranger than Vampyroteuthis infernalis <\/em>\u2013 the \u2018vampire squid from hell\u2019. Despite its name \u2013 inspired by its dark colour and the cloak-like webbing between its arms \u2013 the vampire squid is neither vampire nor squid. <\/p> It is the sole member of its own cephalopod order. Like the octopus, it has eight legs, but is equipped with a pair of thin trailing filaments, which may be derived from the two extra arms possessed by squid.<\/p> This 30cm-long cephalopod may have the largest eyes, compared to body size, of any animal \u2013 all the better for detecting what little light is available at depths of 600-3,300m.<\/p> Coated in sticky mucous, these filaments trap \u2018marine snow\u2019 \u2013 faeces, dead invertebrates, shed skin and other debris that drifts down from the surface waters. It is the only known cephalopod that doesn\u2019t consume live prey.<\/p> If disturbed, it pulls its cloak over its head to expose spiny projections on its arms. It also exudes bioluminescent<\/strong><\/a>, blue mucous from the tips of its arms. This may dazzle potential predators or function as a burglar alarm to attract their predators\u2019 predators.<\/p>What is a vampire squid?<\/h2>
How big are vampire squids and what do they look like?<\/h2>
What do vampire squids eat?<\/h2>
How does it evade predators?<\/h2>