Wildlife
Humboldt squid are found in the warm waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and cover a range that expands as the waters are warmed by El Niño. These large squid migrate vertically (diel migration) to follow their prey, from depths of over 1,000m during the day to the surface waters at night. They capture their prey with their tentacles and suckers and rip it apart with their powerful beak. Like other cephalopods, Humboldt squid can change colour, flashing bright red when angered or excited - giving rise to their name 'the red devil'.
Scientific name: Dosidicus gigas
Rank: Species
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Diving in Chainmail
The Humboldt squid film crew needs some serious underwater protection.
The Humboldt squid film crew needs some serious underwater protection.
Red devils
Steve Backshall goes face to face with a monster of the deep, the Humboldt squid.
Steve Backshall goes face to face with a monster of the deep, the Humboldt squid.
Pack attack
Humboldt squid signal their combined attack.
Armed with razor-sharp beaks and hundreds of jagged hooks, a pack of 2-metre long Humbolt squid descend on a school of fish. If you thought the film Alien was scary, then you ain't seen nothing yet!
Humboldt squid
A population explosion is changing the balance of the coastal Pacific.
A population explosion is changing the balance of the coastal Pacific.
The following habitats are found across the Humboldt squid distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
The Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as jumbo squid, jumbo flying squid, pota or diablo rojo (Spanish for 'red devil'), is a large, predatory squid living in the waters of the Humboldt Current in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They are most commonly found at depths of 200 to 700 metres (660 to 2,300 ft), from Tierra del Fuego to California. Recent findings suggest the range of this species is spreading north into the waters of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Though they usually prefer deep water, between 1,000 and 1,500 squid washed up on the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington in the fall of 2004. They have also ventured into Puget Sound.
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Migration
Adapted to swimming
Camouflage
Carnivorous
Nocturnal
Egg layer
Pack-hunter
Predator
Social
Spawning
Visual communication