amnhnyc: The countdown to Halloween continues with the vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis)! Th
amnhnyc: The countdown to Halloween continues with the vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis)! This cephalopod isn’t quite as spooky as its name implies, though. It inhabits the deep, dark, lowly-oxygenated ocean, feeding on tiny particles of debris that fall from above. When under threat, it has a range of defensive maneuvers that it can deploy to deter a foe. It can curl up its Dracula-like cloak of webbed arms around its soft body to expose a black underside that’s lined with fang-like projections, called cirri. It will then wave its glowing arm tips in a confusing display—and when pushed to the limits by a predator, it will emit a smokescreen of glowing particles before jetting off to make its escape. Photo: Image no. b1187923_1, AMNH Library, Joubin (at American Museum of Natural History)https://www.instagram.com/p/CG341XGgarr/?igshid=1bnf14oif0tsi -- source link
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