MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) | Meet Octopoteuthis deletron—the octopus squid 🐙🦑 @MBARIvideo | Uploaded December 2023 | Updated October 2024, 4 hours ago.
Unlike most other squids, the octopus squid only has eight arms (like its octopus relatives). Their arms are bioluminescent, with light-producing organs, or photophores, at the end of each arm. The octopus squid also has a fascinating way of protecting itself when threatened by predators. Like a lizard that detaches its tail when attacked, this squid can drop its bioluminescent arm tips, leaving a wiggling arm with a flashing photophore in the grasp of a confused would-be predator. As far as we know, it’s the only squid species to exhibit this unusual defensive behavior.
Unlike most other squids, the octopus squid only has eight arms (like its octopus relatives). Their arms are bioluminescent, with light-producing organs, or photophores, at the end of each arm. The octopus squid also has a fascinating way of protecting itself when threatened by predators. Like a lizard that detaches its tail when attacked, this squid can drop its bioluminescent arm tips, leaving a wiggling arm with a flashing photophore in the grasp of a confused would-be predator. As far as we know, it’s the only squid species to exhibit this unusual defensive behavior.
