HUMBOLDT SQUID

Hi, I’m Midnite.  The Humboldt Squid also know as the Jumbo Squid, Jumbo Flying Squid or Diablo Rojo, is  a large, aggressive squid found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.  The squid likes deep water with depths from 660 to 2300 feet.

The squid is a carnivorous invertebrate that can swim up to 15 mph by using a siphon and two fins.   It uses it’s tentacles lined with suckers to grab it’s prey and drag the prey towards it’s beak.   It can grow up to seven feet and weigh up to 100 pounds.  It can change color from purplish red to white.   With it’s keen vision, it likes to feed at night.   The squid is only aggressive when feeding and has been known to attack humans.  Divers use body armor to protect themselves from an attack by the squid which can cause deep lacerations to the diver’s skin.

The Humboldt is a fierce cannibalistic fighter known to attack anything including whales.  The name diablo rojo meaning red devil was given to the squid by Mexican fisherman.

Despite it’s aggressiveness, sperm whales and Mexican fishermen prey on the squid.   Mexican fishermen sell the squid to consumers in Asian countries.   Because the squid likes to feed at night, it is usually fished for at night.   El Nino has caused the squid to start migrating north from the warm Mexican coast.

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Humboldt Squid photographed by ROV Tiburon.