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Reef squid

Sepioteuthis sepioidea

Photo by Mel11
Published on Project Noah
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17.01, -61.73

Field Notes

Description:

A small, torpedo-shaped squid with undulating fins that extend nearly the entire length of the body, approximately 20 cm (8 in) in length

Habitat:

On the seaward side of a large rock (the only one out in the bay) near to the shore.

Notes:

This species, like most squid, is a voracious eater and typically consumes 30–60% of its body weight daily. Prey is caught using the club-like end of the long tentacles which are then pulled towards the mouth supported by the shorter arms. Like other cephalopods, it has a strong beak which it uses to cut the prey into parts so that the raspy tongue, or radula, can be used to further process the food. It consumes small fish, other molluscs, and crustaceans. In 2001, marine biologist Silvia Maciá discovered that squid were able to propel themselves up out of the water about 2 m (6.6 ft) and fly approximately 10 m (33 ft) before re-entry; a discovery which led to the identification of six species of flying squid.

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Photographed
PublishedJuly 6, 2020

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