30
Mar
Jumbo squid-cam uncovers elusive creature’s habits
It turns out that the Humboldt squids are faster than expected, and they hunt in tightly coordinated groups, an unusual behavior for squid.
30
Mar
Jumbo squid-cam uncovers elusive creature’s habits
It turns out that the Humboldt squids are faster than expected, and they hunt in tightly coordinated groups, an unusual behavior for squid.
09
Jan
08
Jan
Giant squid filmed in Pacific depths, Japan scientists report
by Shingo Ito
Scientists and broadcasters said Monday they have captured footage of an elusive giant squid roaming the depths of the Pacific Ocean, showing it in its natural habitat for the first time ever.
Japan’s National Science Museum succeeded in filming the deep-sea creature at a depth of more than half a kilometre (a third of a mile) after teaming up with Japanese public broadcaster NHK and the US Discovery Channel.
The massive invertebrate is the stuff of legend, with sightings of a huge ocean-dwelling beast reported by sailors for centuries. The creature is thought to be the genesis of the Nordic legend of Kraken, a sea monster believed to have attacked ships in waters off Scandinavia over the last millennium.
Modern-day scientists on their own Moby Dick-style search used a submersible to descend to the dark and cold depths of the northern Pacific Ocean, where at around 630 m (2,066 ft) they managed to film a three-metre specimen. After around 100 missions, during which they spent 400 hours in the cramped submarine, the three-man crew tracked the creature from a spot some 15 km (9 mi) east of Chichi island in the north Pacific.
Museum researcher Tsunemi Kubodera said they followed the enormous mollusc to a depth of 900 m as it swam into the ocean abyss…
(read more: PhysOrg) (image: NHK/Discovery Channel)
26
Sep
Secrets of the vampire squid
The vampire squid lives in a niche habitat where at the lowest levels there is just enough oxygen to support life.
02
May
Artificial muscles mimic squid’s camouflage ability
The artificial muscles are based on color-changing cells known as chromatophores, which are found in fish, reptiles and cephalopods such as squids.
29
Jul
Soy sauce makes dead squid ‘dance’
Energy lies within ions contained in the sauce’s high sodium content, and these ions are used in cells to create voltage differences. Because the squid is served fresh, its cells are still active and when the sodium is applied, the signals across the nerve cell membranes are temporarily reactivated.
07
Apr
Scientists draw ancient squid using its own 150 million-year-old ink
Fossilized remains of squid were so well-preserved that scientists were able to draw a picture of it — using its own ink.
06
Feb
Squid don’t detect the changes in pressure associated with sound waves like humans do. They sense the motion generated by sound waves.
via rhamphotheca