#piglet squid

[daily-cephalopod]

I humbly request a cephalopod

Well since you're so humble.....

Here is a cephalopod just for you!!!!!

[randomanimaloftheday]

Day 131#: Banded Piglet Squid

Today's animal of the day is the Banded Piglet Squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi)!

Photo credit: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

This small species of glass squid can be found in the subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They grow around 3.9 inches long, about the size of an avocado, and like other members in the family Cranchiidae, they have semi-transparent bodies that make it harder for predators to spot them. Their name comes from their distinct and adorable appearance when looked at face-on. Their water siphons, which they expel water out of in order to jet away from potential predators, vaguely look like a pig's snout, while their light brown markings look like a smiley face.

Photo credit: NautilusLive

Their tentacles are also placed above their eyes, and they swim upside down, which makes it look like they have a mop of wavy hair on top of their piggy face. While the adult squids prefer to inhabit the deep twilight zone (and can be found at depths of around 4,500 ft), their larvae prefer to live near the surface and will slowly descend deeper and deeper as they age. Like other similarly sized species of squid, their diet consists mostly of fish, shrimp, and smaller squids.

[mbari-blog]

Meet Helicocranchia, the piglet squid.

This species is found throughout the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans and, in the Atlantic Ocean, in north temperate waters. Their mantle reaches a maximum size of 10 centimeters (nearly four inches). Like other glass squids, they covered in tiny pigment sacs called chromatophores. They often keep their chromatophores closed so their skin is basically see through. This invisibility cloak hides them from both predators and prey.

Glass squids have a large internal cavity they fill with ammonium, a chemical that is lighter than seawater. Building a more buoyant body means the squid does not have to swim as hard to stay afloat. They maneuver slowly through the midwater with their fins, constantly on the lookout for danger or a delicious meal.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

[little-creature-of-the-day]

little creature of the day: piglet squid

silly!

image source

[thepastisalreadywritten]

The amazing “piglet squid” (Helicocranchia pfefferi) gets its nickname for its small round body, wiggling tail and siphon that looks like the nose of a pig.

📽: MBARI

[strawlessandbraless]

All rise for her majesty, the Piglet Squid 🐽 🦑 👑

Squid Squad (Squad being the scientifically correct term for a group of squid)

[spadefish]

This month's fish!! I actually like the first one enough that it got THREE different versions on Redbubble, with varying levels of background elements.

Winged Whale, Piglet Squid, Arapaima, and Pigeon Blood Discus. :)