Details
Vampyroteuthis infernalis
The vampire squid is a deep-sea cephalopod with features of both octopuses and squids. Its dark cloaklike web gives it the name, though it does not drink blood.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It is widespread in temperate and tropical deep oceans, especially oxygen-minimum layers. The animal drifts in dark midwater far below strong sunlight.
Total length is about 15-30 cm. Large eyes, a dark reddish body, webbed arms and light organs are typical, and the arms can fold over the body like a cloak.
Solitary and slow-moving, it saves energy rather than chasing prey. Light organs and glowing mucus help confuse predators.
Unlike predatory squids, it feeds mainly on sinking organic debris, fecal pellets and small animal fragments. Long filaments gather particles from the water.
Females are thought to spawn more than once during life, with eggs developing in deep water. Growth is slow in the cold, low-energy habitat.
It is the only living member of its lineage and is specialized for deep, low-oxygen water. Despite the name, it is harmless to large animals.
