The Vampire Squid from Hell

vampsquid

Vampyroteuthis infernalis (literally 'The Vampire Squid from Hell') is a species of cephalopod that inhabits temperate and tropical deep sea oceans throughout the world. It has a pair of sensory filaments that makes it unique among ocean creatures and earns it the distinction of being the sole creature in its very own Order: Vampyromorphida.

The body of Vampyroteuthis is covered with photophores which can be flashed on and off rapidly in a dazzling light display intended to confuse predators. It also has the ability to eject a cloud of sticky luminous mucus filled with glowing orbs of blue light.

Just in case you thought my Europan creatures were fanciful!

Read more (lots more!) about Vampyroteuthis here. 

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