Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean

Habitat: Deep ocean during the day; Surface of the ocean at night

Size: Up to 8 feet (2.43m) long; Up to 100 pounds (45.35kg)

Diet: Fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods

Threats: Sperms whales, seals, and large fish

Life span: Two years or fewer

Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re talking about the Humboldt squid. These squid are also known as jumbo squids and red devils, both names with a solid reasoning and both which we’ll be discussing further in this episode, so stay tuned!

The Humboldt squid lives in the eastern Pacific ocean. Originally, they were documented from coastal waters of southern North America and northern South America, however, in recent decades they’ve been observed far outside their historical range. For the first documented time, near the beginning of the 21st century Humboldt squid were seen in the waters of Alaska to the North and Chile to the South. It’s believed they’ve been able to expand their range due to increasing water temperatures around the world. There’s also evidence to suggest that these squid can travel in large horizontal migrations, though there isn’t substantial observation of this. Another reason these squids may be moving into places they originally weren’t documented is that the zone in which Humboldt squid spend their days is increasing.

During the day, Humboldt squid stay deep beneath the ocean waves, but at night they will travel to the surface to feed. Humboldt squid may migrate vertically in groups numbering from the hundreds to the thousands. These vertical migrations are also known as diel migrations, and Humboldt squids aren’t the only cephalopods known to do this! These migrations may be performed for one of two reasons, or even both: one, to find food, and two, to get some oxygen.

Humboldt squid spend the daytime hours upwards of a third of a mile (531m) below the ocean’s surface. Here, oxygen levels are so low there’s barely enough to breathe. In fact, it’s believed that Humboldt squids reduce their metabolic processes while in this oxygen deprived zone thus allowing them to remain there without needing to replenish their oxygen supply. At night, as they rise to the surface, the amount of oxygen in the water increases and the squids are able to breathe. They also utilize this opportunity to eat! Humboldt squid eat fish like anchovies, crustaceans like shrimp and krill, and cephalopods like other squids! In a single night, one Humboldt squid may consume many pounds of food. Which, of course, would indicate these are some big cephalopods.

Though not reaching the sizes of colossal or giant squid, Humboldt squid have still earned the common name “jumbo squid”. These cephalopods can reach 100 pounds in weight and eight feet in length including their tentacles. In order to get this big in their short lifespans of two or fewer years, Humboldt squids grow really, really fast. In just 8 weeks time, they can go from 1mm to 100mm in length! That would be like if Chester went from his current 18 inches in length to 150 feet in length in just two months time! And when it comes to reproduction, these squids are superstars.

It’s believed that a female Humboldt squid can produce upwards of 20 million eggs in her lifetime. The eggs are laid in gelatinous masses which have been observed to protect the eggs inside from bacteria. After just over a week, the young squids hatch. When they’re younger, they’ll travel in larger groups.

These squid are also known as red devils because they flash bright right when caught on a fishing line and brought to the surface. What’s fascinating about Humboldt squids is that they’ve been observed using their color flashes in all assortments of patterns potentially to communicate with one another in the dark depths of the ocean. One may flash to indicate aggression, or perhaps that a predator is near.

Predators to Humboldt squid include sperms whales, seals, and large fish like marlins as well as sharks. But Humboldt squid aren’t completely defenseless; in fact, there are documented cases of Humboldt squid attacking human divers with their fist sized beaks and even drawing blood!

For more facts on the Humboldt squid check out the links in the description. Thank you to Juancarlito for today’s request! Give a thumbs up if you learned something new today, and thank you for watching Animal Fact Files.