The squid is a creature at first glance simple and even primitive. His entire body consists of an oblong boneless sac with internal organs and a large head, from which tentacles with suckers grow. However, this inhabitant of sea waters is not as simple as it seems, and a lot of interesting things can be told about his life. Amazing facts about squid is a topic that is worth attention.
Squids live in the salty waters of almost the entire world's oceans - both in the hot tropics and in the icy Arctic. Some live near the surface, others - at depths of up to 2 km, where eternal pitch darkness reigns. The deeper their habitat, the larger their size. However, giant specimens could be seen and even caught close to the surface of the water.
The color of the mollusk can be different and depends on the habitat. How colder water, the paler it is, but there are also pink and bright blue varieties. Most species are capable of changing color when their body is exposed to an electrical discharge, danger, or other external factors. Some of the deep-sea species can phosphoresce with blue or violet light in the dark. Inhabitants northern seas almost colorless, and at great depths completely transparent, “glass” specimens were discovered. Only their insides and eyes remain opaque. If, in the event of danger, such a squid does not have time to escape, it freezes and takes in a huge portion of water, inflating like a balloon.
In the surface layers of warm seas there is a special species that is tiny in size and gathers in large flocks. They are completely unable to move independently and drift freely with the ebb and flow of the tides. Inside they have a cavity filled with ammonium chloride (ammonia). It is lighter than water, which keeps them always on the surface. Some deep-sea giant squids also have the same mechanism of “hovering in water” (neutral buoyancy). And some small species have negative buoyancy, so they are forced to constantly release jet streams, which makes their existence very energy-consuming.
Instead of hemoglobin, the blood of these mollusks contains hemocyanin with copper, which is why it has an aristocratic blue color. Moreover, they have three hearts, which have a direct connection with three tentacles.
Squids have excellent eyesight, and their eyes are considered the largest on the planet. Among the specimens caught by humans, the most impressive was a giant mollusk with eyes 40 cm in diameter. The lens of such an eye alone was the size of an orange, due to which it had the ability to transmit a large number of light and see at great depths. At the same time, the structure and functioning of the ocular apparatus is very similar to the human one, and in some respects it is much superior to it. Their eyes can be of different sizes and tuned to different light intensities, which is why they see perfectly at depth and even where a beam of light practically does not penetrate.
There is not a single bone in the squid's body. When taken to land, they turn into shapeless flesh. The only solid parts of the body are the chitinous beak and the celluloid cartilage of the head. The mollusk has a brain and has a living intellect; it can make lightning-fast and well-informed decisions. Their nerve fibers, which are known to determine the speed of the nervous system, are considered one of the thickest and are 100 times larger than human ones!
A special tube in the body plays the role of a siphon, capable of pushing out a powerful stream of water, ensuring high speed of movement. The siphon is mobile and can turn in any direction and even backward, thanks to which the mollusk easily changes the direction of movement. At the same time, the body is stretched into a thin torpedo, the tentacles connect and move forward, and the “wings” wrap tightly around the body. In this case, the resistance of the water is minimal, and the sea animal can develop colossal speed, while masterfully controlling its body.
There is a species of squid that, fleeing from enemies, is capable of jumping out of the water and flying several tens of meters. At the same time, they often fall “from the frying pan into the fire,” becoming prey for birds of prey.
The Octopoteuthis deletron species, living at a depth of 800 m, is notable for its very short period of sexual maturity in the male. Without bothering to search, a representative of the species hangs its capsules with sperm on the first individual it comes across, regardless of gender.
Squids do not have territories “assigned” to them. Leading an extremely active life, they can migrate over vast distances. Outside of spawning, the direction of their movement has no system; it seems that they swim wherever they look. When the time comes for spawning, the speed reaches 70 km/h, and they swim away short term thousands of kilometers away.
Squids are omnivorous, and the larger their size, the more varied the menu. Small plankton, other mollusks, all kinds of fish, they do not disdain their own kind. Adult mollusks happily eat the younger generation of their own species. Giant individuals choose larger prey, and there are many known cases when they attacked a person.
There is still no reliable information about whether the mysterious krakens (enormous squids or, according to another opinion, octopuses) exist or whether they are mythical creatures that have never existed on the planet. Movies have been made about them and fantastic stories have been written, but the question remains open. Theoretically speaking, a large squid can harm a small vessel. But the picture in which he pierces the ship’s hull with a tentacle is completely devoid of plausibility. Having no skeleton, these creatures can only squeeze, stretch and tear the victim, but not pierce through it. As for fighting the caught giant on deck, outside the water they are completely helpless.
Nevertheless, they are quite capable of dragging a person from a boat into the sea with the help of huge tentacles. Thus, researchers have already accumulated a lot of evidence about the mysterious Humboldt squid living in the Atlantic. The sea animal is enormous in size and can quickly change its color by opening and closing special pigment sacs (chromatophores) located deep in the skin. If all chromatophores are closed, they become white, sometimes they can be dark green, but in anger or in times of danger their color becomes bright red.
Historical fact. In 2011, a giant Humboldt attacked a fishing boat near the resort of Loreto, which was witnessed by many as the ship sailed on a coastal course in front of vacationers. Thick tentacles suddenly emerged from the water and began to grab the fishermen and drag them into the water. Several bodies that subsequently washed up on the shore were completely covered with dark blue bruises left by powerful suckers, and one of them was literally chewed up and bore little resemblance to a human body.
The squids themselves have many enemies, the main one of which is the sperm whale, except for the person who has taken a liking to them as a gastronomic delicacy. If a large squid (architeuthis) meets a sperm whale, a terrible battle takes place between them. In 99% of cases, the sperm whale wins, as the stronger animal. Therefore, the cephalopod tries to avoid this battle by releasing an ink stain, like octopuses, or by fleeing.
Much has been written about cephalopod smoke, but researchers continue to discover surprising facts. The squid is able to withstand a real “dress-up scene”! Seeing danger, he can suddenly turn black, and then release the ink, becoming completely colorless, and quickly run away. The spot released by him takes on its own outlines, confusing the predator, who focuses his gaze on the “model”. And only when you touch this dark silhouette, it literally explodes into a dark cloud, leaving the enemy to wander in the dark. Leaving your own image in place of yourself, changing your outfit and disappearing from the stage unnoticed is a truly ingenious maneuver!
The coloring liquid released in case of danger not only “muddies the waters”, but also has a paralyzing effect on the olfactory system of fish. For some time after its influence, predators are not able to catch the scent of the prey, even if they come close to it. The effect that paralyzes the olfactory nerve cells lasts about an hour. But this “drug” also affects the cephalopods themselves. If a squid in captivity releases ink while in a confined space, if the permissible concentration is exceeded, it may fall victim to its own weapon. People who came under the direct influence of camouflage paint talked about painting the entire underwater world in a wonderful amber color, which they managed to get rid of after a short time without harming their eyesight.
The squid is well armed in addition to the ink bag. Its tentacles are equipped with hundreds of powerful suction cups, and in some varieties also sharp, curved claws, like those of cats. It has no teeth, but it has a strong chitinous beak, which is quite capable of piercing the shell of a crab or the ridge of a large fish.
For the life of squids strong influence renders the Moon. They migrate mainly at night, and the clearer it is, the more active their movement. Sometimes the lunar debt leads them to death - moving along it when entering small bays, a flock of thousands of squid can accelerate and fly ashore. However, sometimes they mistake the light of coastal lanterns for a lunar path.
The lifespan of medium-sized individuals is 1 year. It is difficult to confirm or refute this statement due to the difficulties of observation at great depths, but during the entire period of research, not a single specimen older than a year was caught.
Squids mate quickly and without foreplay. In fact, this is a very interesting and complex process. During a short mating, the male places a spermatophore (a tube-bag containing sperm) on the female's body. In large specimens they can reach a meter. This tube is not a simple one, but has its own mechanism for ejecting sperm, which includes a fuse-hair, a strong spring and even a tube of glue that can glue living things to living things in water (a surgeon’s dream!). The spermatophore emerges from a funnel in the lower part of the head, and in order to transfer it to the female and insert it where needed, there is either a penis or a modified tentacle-arm with special clamps. For a female, the right place may be in the most different places depending on the variety - under the beak, near the gills, on the inner surface of the mantle and even on the back of the head. However, the male doesn’t care at all where to stick his bag in order to unload - be it on the back of his head or on his tail. This is where his mission ends.
After leaving the male's body, the spermatophore comes into contact with salt water, which starts the process. The outer shell explodes, water gets inside and activates a spring, which is thrown out along with the inner shell with sperm, ending up in exactly the right place on the female’s body, where it immediately sticks and waits for the eggs to spawn for their fertilization. Fast, like a short dogfight. At the same time, the male is little concerned about the sexual maturity of the female. Several months may pass before spawning, by which time the “happy father” may no longer be alive. The viability of seed material lasts up to 3 months.
A female squid gives birth to offspring once in a lifetime. After laying eggs, she dies, and her body floats to the surface and is washed ashore, where it becomes prey for coastal birds of prey.
Since ancient times, myths have circulated among people about giant monsters from the abyss, thirsting for the blood and flesh of sailor travelers. The uncharted depths of the ocean, which could not be conquered then, were the object and main reason for inventions, fairy tales and terrible fables concerning its mysterious inhabitants. It is worth saying that even today no one can say for sure that the planet’s water space, the so-called abyss, has been fully studied. Ancient records tell of how monsters with huge tentacles from depths of the sea attacked ships and galleys, taking them with them into the abyss. Those who managed to stay alive after the attack very often embellished their stories about unprecedented creatures, attributing fictitious abilities to the monsters and distorting them appearance. Due to all the above-mentioned factors, it was almost impossible to determine who exactly the wanderers met with.
Today the situation has changed somewhat, and mankind has learned a lot about some unusual inhabitants of the seas and oceans. In the article we would like to talk about the largest squid in the world, namely, talk about their distinctive features, characteristic features species and provide interesting and reliable facts about huge sea monsters.
Habitat of huge mollusks
It is known for certain that there are giant squids on earth that live in the depths of the waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Also, these cephalopods can live in seas, both warm and cold. People have more than once managed to catch individuals that could be called the largest squid in the world. Sometimes it even happened that the giant was cut down by the ship's propellers when he tried to attack. However, when such events took place for the first time, humanity did not have the necessary equipment to study the characteristics of the captured animal. Modern technologies allow you to thoroughly examine these living creatures and provide complete information about them.
Giant Architeuthis and the first mention of it
One of the largest inhabitants of the ocean depths is considered to be the giant squid, or Architeuthis, as it is called in scientific books. Individuals of this species prefer to be in temperate and subtropical latitudes of all 4 oceans. Giant squids live at a depth of several kilometers and only sometimes swim to the surface. The first mention of architeuthis occurs at the end of the 19th century. During another sea voyage in 1887, which took place near the coast of New Zealand, sailors discovered a strange and frightening creature. It was not difficult to notice, because the storm waves simply washed the huge mollusk onto land. According to the data that the expedition was able to obtain on the spot, the size of the unusual find was amazing. The length of the monster's body reached incredible dimensions - 17.5 meters, and 5 of them were only tentacles. The mantle of an adult individual was also by no means small - about 2 meters. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish the exact weight of the sea monster at that time, but judging by the given parameters, it was quite large.
A successful attempt to explore a huge inhabitant of the depths
The next specimen, called one of the largest squids in the world, was discovered in Antarctica 120 years after the first mention of the sea monster. In 2007, fishermen caught a deep-sea inhabitant whose body reached 9 meters in length. Then the weight of the find was easy to establish, because fishing tankers currently have all the necessary equipment for weighing the catch directly on board. The giant squid surprised the crew with its size, as its mass was just over 500 kilograms.
The terrifying Mesonychoteuthis
It is now known for certain that Architeuthis is far from the only species of inhabitants of the depths that frighten humanity with its size. Since time immemorial, there has been another representative of giant monsters of the cephalopod species on earth - mesonychoteuthis. This giant squid monster is considered one of the largest in modern times. It can be called a close relative of Architeuthis, only it is much more majestic. Mesonychoteuthis is the only representative of its genus, because, unlike Architeuthis, its weight is somewhat larger: the mantle of adult individuals alone reaches a mind-boggling size - its length is equal to four meters. By the way, another name for a giant is colossal.
The contents of the sperm whale's stomach, which revealed new facts to science
The first records of Mesonychoteuthys were made in the early 19th century. British zoologist Robson examined tentacles taken from the stomach of a sperm whale caught on the southern islands of Scotland and came to the conclusion that they could only belong to the aforementioned sea giant. Subsequently, for many years, no information regarding cephalopod monster squids was reported.
Great luck for scientists
A significant period of time after Robson’s study of the tentacles of the sea monster, scientists discovered 4 eggs in the far Atlantic, presumably left by mollusks. Having studied their composition and origin, they came to the conclusion that the eggs actually belong to a female squid rare species mesonychoteuthys. Scientific data appeared in 1970, that is, almost 50 years after Robson’s first experiment. The characteristics and features of the surviving masonry were carefully studied by experienced specialists of the time. And 9 years after research work managed to catch an adult specimen of Mesonychoteuthis. Her mantle measured 117 cm in length, and she was the largest female squid in the world.
Bloodthirsty and terrible kraken: fiction or reality?
There are legends about giant squids, whose history goes back to the distant past. Ancient sailors told tales about sea monsters that attacked ships, engulfed them with their tentacles and carried away all living things to the seabed. These mythical creatures at that time were nicknamed krakens. Until the end of the 16th century they were considered fictitious. However, after a while, humanity was convinced of the opposite, because the kraken washed up on the shores of Western Ireland was first found and subsequently presented as an exhibit in the Dublin Museum. By the way, the kraken is the largest squid in the world that science knows today.
Distinctive features of the kraken
The giant mollusk differs from other ocean inhabitants by its head, which has a cylindrical shape, on which is located something resembling a bird’s beak. It is with this that he captures and grinds prey. The eyes of the kraken are considered the largest in comparison with the organs of vision of all other animals living on planet Earth. Their diameter is 25 cm. The color of the creature changes depending on its mood: from dark green to blood red. The largest squid in the world and its peculiarity in the form of a spike-shaped tongue, with which the mollusk pushes prey into the stomach, instills fear even in experienced sailors.
Giants attack people
It is worth noting that the captain of the Norwegian fishing tanker Arne Grönningseter recently told the public amazing story, which touched a huge kraken. According to him, giants pose an incredible danger to people who devote their lives to fishing, or simply those who like to be at sea. The fact is that his ship Brunswick was attacked several times by the aforementioned monster. The captain spoke about the tactics that the mollusk chooses to attack: it first floats to the surface of the water from the abyss, then accompanies the ship for a short time, as if waiting for a certain moment, and then with lightning speed it emerges from the water and pounces on the ship. Only due to the fact that the tentacles of the cephalopod monster could not catch on the surface of the deck and the hull of the ship, the crew managed to escape and remain unharmed in the unequal battle.
Fixed values
If we talk about specific figures that relate to the dimensions of huge underwater inhabitants, and answer the question about the size of the largest squid in the world (their body length), then we should disappoint seekers of such information. To this day, science has not established any certain values. Experts only suggest that the body length of cephalopods that live in the waters of the World Ocean and prefer its very bottom can exceed 50 meters.
Interesting facts about giant squids
There are several exciting and real facts about the life of huge and frightening inhabitants of the depths. We will list only the most interesting of them:
- Currently, a mammal is known that can attack one of the largest squids in the world (its name is Architeuthis) - the sperm whale. IN old times to this day, real fights took place between the opponents, in which, as a rule, the sperm whale won. It was thanks to the contents of the mammal’s stomach that science was able to establish the very fact of the existence of a deep-sea giant.
- First photos of an adult giant squid were made in Japan. An overgrown mollusk was found on the surface of ocean waters and pulled ashore. It was not possible to keep the exclusive inhabitant of marine fauna alive. The squid died within 24 hours of being removed from the water. Today, the remains of this creature are kept in the Japanese Museum of Nature and Science.
- The “buoyancy” of the largest squid in the world, the size of which is truly amazing, is due to the content of a solution of aluminum chloride in their body, which has a lower density than sea water. Because of this property that distinguishes it from others sea creatures Having an air bubble, the deep-sea giant squid is unsuitable for human food.
- The age of squids is determined by their beak.
- Unlike other deep-sea inhabitants, the brain and nervous system squids are unusually developed and still remain a mystery and a subject of research for scientists and specialists in this field.
- Despite their impressive size, giant squids can remain invisible to their prey. This is evidenced by the imprints of suckers on the bodies of whales exposed to attacks by these monsters. Scientists have proven that architeuthis, mesonychoteuthys and krakens lead a passive lifestyle. However, when hunting prey, they show activity and resourcefulness.
- In anticipation of danger, the colossal squid releases a protective fluid that is fatal to humans and other sea creatures.
- One suction cup, which is located directly on the tentacles of the giant squid, will hold about 20 liters of water.
Results
In conclusion, I would like to say that it doesn’t matter at all what the world’s largest squid looks like. The stories that sailors told about giant krakens go back to the distant past. Only facts remain - irrefutable, reliable. But here’s the paradox: some of them still remain a mystery to zoologists. Today, everyone knows only that giant squids are not a fiction, but a reality that is covered in a veil of mystery.
Ecology
The brain is an amazing and perhaps the most mysterious organ small biological computer, the center through which living beings receive commands for action.
The brain of animals varies greatly depending on the species and may consist of a small collection of nerve cells or a complex and amazing system of neurons.
We invite you to find out the most interesting facts about the brain of animals and humans, which may surprise you a lot.
Spider brain
Brain spiders sometimes so great that displaces other organs, which in some cases can move to lower limbs. Smithsonian tropical Research institute made this discovery while studying the nervous system of the world's smallest spider. His brain occupies 80 percent cavities of his body.
Scientists have found that the smaller the animals, the bigger their brain in proportion to the rest of the body. For example, the human brain is only 2-3 percent from total mass bodies. E of some small ants the brain occupies 15 percent, and even more for tiny spiders.
Leech brain
Leeches may seem to you unattractive and even disgusting living creatures that are capable of sticking to the skin of humans or animals and suck their blood. This property of leeches is often used in alternative medicine, for example, it helps clean infected wounds.
It cannot be denied that leeches are amazing creatures, because they have 5 pairs of eyes, 300 teeth and..32 brains! However, technically they have one brain, which consists of 32 nerve ganglia, which are actually separate brains.
Small giant squid brain
Giant squid when eating, they bite off relatively small pieces of food, since when swallowing food must pass through them donut shaped brain, and only then get into the esophagus. Such a gigantic creature has biggest eyes among all the creatures on the planet, but its brain is surprisingly small.
A male giant squid uses his 15 gram brain to coordinate his 150-kilogram body. The length of this giant reaches 10 meters, and its genital organ reaches 1.5 meters in length.
Cordyceps feeds on some non-vital organs of the ant, entangling the brains of poor insects with its threads, causing ants to climb to the tops of plants. After some time, the fungus kills the ant and grows as a mushroom from its head. Typical horror movie plot.
Smallest insect nervous system
Tiny wasp kind Megaphragma mymaripenne smaller in size than unicellular amoebas, despite the fact that she has body parts such as eyes, brain, wings, genitals and digestive system.
Researchers discovered that she has the tiniest nervous system of all known insects. A wasp's head contains a relatively small number of neurons when it is a larva, but later, when the wasp becomes an adult, the number of neurons is further reduced, since they don't have enough space in her little head. However, it doesn’t need a lot of brains: adult individuals live no more than 5 days.
Worms brain
Tiny brain worms kind C. elegans nematode consists of only 302 neurons, however, despite this fact, it has the same functions as the nervous system of other more complex organisms.
Scientists are studying amazing features roundworm brains to understand the underlying mechanisms more complex animal behavior. Perhaps this will help reveal some of the secrets of the human brain.
Tunicates eat their own brains
Tunicates- similar to bags hermaphrodite creatures, which cling to corals and filter their food in a marine fashion. They produce tadpole-like offspring that disperse into the water in search of new homes.
In the larval stage, tunicates have the same anatomical characteristics, like fish, birds, reptiles and even mammals, but as they grow older lose their brains and become literally “brainless”.
They digest your own nerves, which are responsible for movement, which they no longer need, since for the rest of their lives tunicates lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Fish brain
The idea that women are dumber than men has long been proven false, but one species of marine life has this idea has a real basis. Brain of fish family stickleback living in the lake Mivan in Iceland, has significant differences in size depending on gender.
Scientists believe that this inequality may be due to the fact that males need to use more brain resources, since they compete with each other, build nests, care for females during the mating season, and even take care of eggs. Females only mate and lay eggs.
Bird brain
Many have long been interested in the question of how woodpeckers succeeds avoid brain damage while foraging, because they do not hit the hard surfaces of tree trunks with such force with their beaks.
Like many bird species, woodpeckers have complex skulls made up of tiny and very light weight bones. The weight of an average bird's skull is no more than 1 percent of her total body weight. Woodpeckers have a built-in defense mechanism– an air bag that softens shock and protects the brain.
Big brains of dogs
Dog breeds King Charles Spaniel They have an affable character and sweet appearance, for which they are widely used. However, in the process of breeding this breed, it turned out that the dogs have one serious problem: many representatives began to develop a disease in which Animals' brains were too big to fit in their small heads.
According to one veterinarian, it's like trying to fit your foot into a shoe that's several sizes too small. The disease takes lives about one third of dogs of this breed Moreover, the poor animals suffer greatly from headaches.
Amazing Crow Brain
Corvids- a family of birds that includes crows, rooks, jackdaws, jays and magpies. These birds are known to be quite smart, and their level of intelligence is sometimes can be compared to the intelligence of primates.
Their extraordinary memory, ability to reason logically and the ability to use tools surprised scientists a lot. These birds are capable of using tools, e.g. sticks to get to the tasty larvae. Animals have such abilities chimpanzee.
Birds also know how to hide food from prying eyes, but sometimes they can make false hiding places: they pretend that they are hiding something, to confuse thieves who want to feast on other people's supplies.
Dolphin brain
Did you know that a dolphin's brain is actually more human brain? bottlenose dolphin, for example, can recognize, remember and solve problems, which makes it the closest intelligence to a human being on our planet.
New cortex the dolphin is more complex than that of humans, it gives dolphins self-awareness, that is, they able to think realistically, and not just act based on instincts.
Human brain
Man belongs to the kingdom animals, however, as we know, we are too different from other representatives of the animal world, in particular we have a unique brain.
It is known for certain that the human brain is more developed than the brains of its closest primate relatives. But we ourselves cannot fully understand its complexity and versatility. The brain uses about 20 per cent the total amount of oxygen in our body, it can process information very quickly, and each part has separate functions.
