“Mike Vecchione, they’re calling you on the squid phone.”

October 31, 2020 11:18 AM

The remotely operated vehicle SuBastian being deployed in waters off Australia’s north coast by the Research Vessel Falkor. When Dr. Vecchione got a good look at the image, he knew exactly what it was: Spirula spirula, or the ram’s horn squid. Spirula is the only living squid to have an internal coiled shell, which it tucks under the fleshy flaps of its rear end, according to Jay C. Hunt, a biologist at East Stroudsburg University. The squid can also emit lime-green light from a large photophore, also located on its behind. Dr. Vecchione and other experts were astonished. For ages, biologists and beachgoers had stumbled upon the thumbnail-white shells of Spirula stranded on shores around the world. But no one had ever seen the animal alive in its natural habitat.
posted by PixieS (10 comments total)

Joy! And wonder! Doing its squiddy things.
posted by clew at 2:06 PM on October 31, 2020 [2 favorites]

Non-paywalled video.
posted by adamg at 3:23 PM on October 31, 2020 [3 favorites]

I read

In the twilight zone of our oceans, at the tips of sunlight's fingers

From the science alert article as the "twilight years" and just had the worst heart break pang.

The squid is cool
posted by Uncle at 6:44 PM on October 31, 2020 [1 favorite]

that's one of the coolest things I've seen in a really long time. Thanks!
posted by bluesky43 at 7:17 PM on October 31, 2020 [1 favorite]

Burrito? Breakfast sausage? Wafer? Someone get this reporter a snack before they start chowing down on poor, innocent squids!
posted by starfishprime at 1:39 AM on November 1, 2020

a creature shaped like a long potato.

Yep, Imbler should probably go get a snack.
posted by zamboni at 5:32 AM on November 1, 2020

poor, innocent squids!

posted by starfishprime

🤔
posted by zamboni at 5:34 AM on November 1, 2020 [1 favorite]

Okay, arguably a long potato, but what I see is a creature standing up on its little twiddly feet, looking back at me from under its yellow pompadour. (I guess Imbler is hungry and I'm lonesome.)
posted by clew at 10:24 AM on November 1, 2020

Very cool! Much clearer view of it close up starting at about 16:10 in the full video.
posted by me3dia at 2:49 PM on November 1, 2020

I can't help but feel as though the author of this article isn't taking this 100% seriously...
posted by TheCoug at 8:25 AM on November 2, 2020