Tail-Light Squid Shell

The Tail-light Squid is a rarely seen deep-water species that has a light emitting organ at the tail-end of its body. The internal spirally-coiled shell, reaching 35 mm in diameter, is composed of numerous gas-filled chambers that give the squid buoyancy. The shell is positioned at the posterior end of the squid’s body. When the animal dies the shells float to the surface and wash up on beaches in large numbers, particularly after strong winds.