The world’s most elusive squid species displayed a brightening bioluminescent show as it attacked an underwater camera in the deep sea.
Researchers from the Minderoo Foundation and the University of Western Australia (UWA) Deep Sea Research Center observed the rare encounter at about 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) below the Pacific Ocean’s surface.
The team was on a research cruise documenting the diversity of the ocean’s deepest parts when they spotted the rare creature.
The squid was identified as the Dana octopus squid (Taningia danae), a member of the Octopoteuthidae family. It feeds on pelagic fish, crustaceans, and other squid species.
Squid species in the Octopoteuthidae family have eight arms, which is why they are known as octopus squid. In addition, they have two long, trailing tentacles as juveniles, which are lost as the squid matures.
Squids are known for their large size. According to a 2003 study, the longest recorded individual was a 7.5-foot-long (2.3 m) female.
