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Photo MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

Humboldt Squid 'Red Devils' haunt the Pacific Ocean

For the complete photos with media resources, visit: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/media/humboldt-squid/

FAST FACTS

Humboldt squid are large predators native to the deep waters of the Humboldt current, which flows northwest from Tierra del Fuego to the northern coast of Peru. The species range of the Humboldt squid, however, has expanded as far north as the U.S. state of Alaska.

Both the Humboldt squid and the Humboldt current are named after Alexander von Humboldt, a German geographer who explored Central and South America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Humboldt squid are also known as jumbo squid, flying squid, and diablos rojos or red devils.

Humboldt squid earned the nickname "red devils" due to their aggressive nature and ability to light themselves up (bioluminescence) in flashes of red and white.

Humboldt squid earned the nickname "jumbo squid" by their sheer size. They grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) and weigh as much as 50 kilograms (110 pounds.) Jumbo squid are not the largest squid, however. Giant squid grow up to 13 meters (43 feet) and weigh as much as 275 kilograms (610 pounds). Colossal squid grow up to 14 meters (46 feet) and weigh as much as 495 kilograms (1,091 pounds).

VOCABULARY

Term Part of Speech Definition

aggressive adjective forceful or offensive.

Alexander von noun (1769-1859) German geographer and naturalist. Humboldt

bioluminescence noun light emitted by living things through chemical reactions in their bodies.

geographer noun person who studies places and the relationships between people and their environments.

Humboldt noun cold current that flows along the western coast of South America. Current

Humboldt squid noun large marine animal (cephalopod) that lives in the deep Pacific Ocean.

1 of 2 predator noun animal that hunts other animals for food.

species range noun native, geographic area in which an organism can be found. Range also refers to the geographic distribution of a particular species.

Tierra del Fuego noun group of islands at the southern tip of South America.

For Further Exploration

Articles & Profiles National Geographic News: Jumbo Squid Flash, Flail in First Ever Squid-cam Video National Geographic News: Researchers Shed Light On Mysterious Jumbo Squid Images National Geographic News: Colossal Squid Caught off Antarctica

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