When you think of potential dangers in the ocean, massive sharks and whales often come to mind, but what about Calmar? Humboldt’s calmars, in particular, are powerful creatures with pointed beacons and suction cups. They are so ferocious that they even won the nickname of Diablo Rojo or “Red Devil”. As the man in this YouTube video quickly discovered it, even a chips costume cannot completely resist the raw power of Calmar!
What is the size of a Humboldt calmar?
Calmar tentacles can grow more than 3 feet long.
© Youtube / BBC Earth Explore
Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus gigas) are also known as Squid Jumbo, and it is easy to see why – they are absolutely huge. An adult can reach 7 feet in length and weigh 110 pounds. But what is really incredible is that these massive sea giants start life by measuring just a quarter of thumb. Then, in little as little as a year, they can grow from this small size to their gigantic adult shape. Because they are difficult to study, scientists do not know how long they live. Some believe that it is only about a year, while others argue that they could live up to four years. Anyway, it is incredible growth in a very short time!
What do Humboldt calmars eat – and what eats them?
The beak of a calmar is sharp and could quickly cut a human finger without protection.
© Youtube / BBC Earth Explore
Because Calmar Humboldt grows so quickly, they need to eat a lot. These jumbo size calmars are ferocious eaters and will grasp just about everything they can with their long tentacles, tiny crustaceans with lantern fish and even other calmars. In fact, they regularly practice cannibalism by attacking and eating smaller or lower members of their own group!
Humboldt Squid has barbed wire ties on their tentacles which help them grasp their prey. Then they use their Radula (a rough structure in the shape of a tongue) and the pointed beak to decide and shred their food before consuming it quickly.
Despite their size, Humboldt Squid is not the largest ocean animals and their own predators to watch. The biggest marine animals such as sperm, sharks, porpoises and swordfish hunting and eat Calmar Humboldt.
Interestingly, humans are also actively hunting Calmar Humboldt. In fact, they are one of the most common calmar species, especially in Europe and in certain parts of Asia.
Are Humboldt’s calmars dangerous for humans?
Humboldt Squid can swim up to 15 miles per hour.
© Youtube / BBC Earth Explore
The size of a pure size of a hummar Humboldt makes it a potentially dangerous animal. Fortunately, most beach enthusiasts never meet these Jumbo calmars because they live in deeper parts of the ocean. However, divers, as in the YouTube video, could potentially meet them. The diver in the video was prepared and wore the access box to protect himself from the pointed beak from Calmar and his many barbed wire thanks. But even with all this protection, the incredibly strong calmar still managed to bite it.
So yes, Cammar Humboldt can be dangerous for humans, but are they naturally aggressive? This is something that scientists have not yet fully understood. Some maintain that Calmar is aggressive because they have attacked the divers on several occasions. However, research also suggests that this aggression occurs mainly when Calmar feeds. When they do not eat or do not hunt, the calmars seem calm or even simply curious. Sometimes the calmars will seize the lights or cameras of a diver, will dismantle them and examine the pieces, which looks more like curiosity and intelligence than natural assault.
The main part of the body of a Humboldt calmar has special cells that change color called chromatophores. Not only can they change their global color, but they can also quickly flash their skin between white and red as a warning, as in the YouTube video.
Where do Humboldt Squid live?
In the past, Humboldt Squid lived mainly in the waters of the center of Mexico to Peru.
© Youtube / BBC Earth Explore
Humboldt Squid lives mainly in the eastern peaceful ocean. However, in recent years, they have expanded their range and have now been regularly seen in California. They generally live fairly deep in the ocean, between 660 feet and 2,300 feet below the surface.
The position of a huge calmar calmar in the deep sea on a swimmer and chompe his arm appeared first on Az Animals.