“Highly intelligent, with powerful tentacles and a razor-sharp beak—the Humboldt squid is a true terror of the deep.” In this intense clip from episode 8 of the BBC documentary series Life, hundreds of 2-meter (6.5 foot) long Humboldt squid hunt together in the Sea of Cortez. They work as a team to herd and break apart a protective fish tornado. Watch how the squid flash red and white as they hunt. Sir David Attenborough narrates.
Some background on the creatures from Wikipedia:
Humboldt squid are carnivorous marine invertebrates that move in shoals of up to 1,200 individuals. They swim at speeds up to 24 km/h (15 mph; 13 kn) propelled by water ejected through a hyponome (siphon) and by two triangular fins. Their tentacles bear 100–200 suckers, each lined with razor-sharp teeth, with which they grasp prey and drag it towards a large, sharp beak.
Although Humboldt squid have a reputation of being aggressive towards humans, some disagreement exists on this subject. Research suggests these squid are only aggressive while feeding; at other times, they are quite passive… Some scientists claim the only reports of aggression towards humans have occurred when reflective diving gear or flashing lights have been present as a provocation. Roger Uzun, a veteran scuba diver and amateur underwater videographer who swam with a swarm of the animals for about 20 minutes, said they seemed to be more curious than aggressive. In circumstances where these animals are not feeding or being hunted, they exhibit curious and intelligent behavior.
Watch these squid and fish swarm videos next:
• Born Like Stars: An egg-brooding squid and its hatchlings
• The Squid and the Whale: Evidence for an Epic Encounter
• A bioluminescence expert catches a jumbo squid on camera
• Predators Attack Fish Bait Ball
• Secrets of Schooling: Investigating the collective behavior of fish
• Incredible sardine run feeding frenzy: Earth Touch in South Africa
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