The Dana octopus squid (Taningia danae) is likely one of the largest squids within the ocean. It will possibly develop greater than 7.5 toes lengthy and weigh over 350 kilos. Regardless of being so large, scientists not often observe this species in its pure habitat. Current footage reveals this deep-sea squid attacking a digital camera practically a mile beneath the floor.
Scientists from The College of Western Australia (UWA) and Kelpie Geosciences acquired a shock whereas reviewing footage from a free-fall baited digital camera north of the Samoan Passage within the Pacific Ocean. Because the digital camera was dropping to the seafloor at about 2 MPH, a Dana octopus squid attacked it, capturing some actually uncommon video.
“As we had been reviewing the footage, we realized we had captured one thing very uncommon,” stated chief scientist Heather Stewart from Kelpie Geosciences U.Okay. and an adjunct at UWA.
Within the footage, the squid approaches the digital camera, spreads its tentacles broad and envelops it. You possibly can see the squid’s giant photophores (organs that produce bioluminescent mild) flashing brightly. In keeping with UWA, the Dana octopus squid has the biggest recognized photophores within the pure world.
“The squid, which was about 75cm [2.5 feet] lengthy, descended on our digital camera assuming it was prey, and tried to startle it with is big bioluminescent headlights,” Stewart instructed UWA. After realizing the gear wasn’t meals, the squid launched the digital camera and moved on.
Watch a deep-sea squid assault a digital camera right here:
Researchers say most earlier observations and data of this squid are from strandings, unintentional bycatch, or from the abdomen contents of whales. Subsequently, having the ability to observe a dwell Dana octopus squid within the wild—particularly one on the assault—is thrilling.
