Month: March 2018

Old sea tales are littered with grander-than-life, imaginative tales of giant sea serpents, krakens, and sirens. While these are often steeped in inaccuracy and conjecture, some of them are founded in reality. The scary thing is, some may not be far from the tales told by sailors when ashore. Retellings of encounters with and sightings of giant squid are staples of a number of different cultures. From the Greek Mythology to Norse Mythology, the giant squid has continued to resurface. There have also been sightings around the world of the monster throughout history. This confirms that the giant squid has been striking terror in those who have seen it for quite some time.

The largest invertebrate on Earth, the giant squid has been recorded coming in at 59 feet in length and weighing nearly a ton. More typically though, these squid will weigh around 450 pounds and measure only 33 feet. While these measurements are indicative of what we know, it is important to bear in mind that we do not have many run-ins to take into account.

Our knowledge of the giant squid is limited primarily by how elusive the animal is. Living at extreme depths of the ocean and preying on fish, shrimp, and other squid, humans rarely encounter living specimens. For some time, this limited our knowledge of the giant squid to washed ashore carcasses. As of late though, scientists have begun to document live sightings. In Japan, the first live footage and imagery was taken of a giant squid. We have now begun to further our understanding of this unique creature.

Giant squid’s bodies are geared for deep-sea hunting. With massive eyes reaching 10 inches in diameter, they have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom which allow them to better sea prey and predators in their dark environment. Squid have eight arms and two long feeding tentacles that allow them to capture and eat food with their parrot-beak-like mouths. The giant squid feeds on fish shrimp, other squid, and potentially small whales. But while squid’s fights with whales are fabled, a National Geographic article on their cousin the colossal squid suggests sedentary feeding. As the study reported on indicates, colossal squid’s metabolic rates and size relative to their prey likely means they live relatively inactive lifestyles—a ten-pound fish lasting them 200 days. This draws to question whether or not squid actively seek encounters with whales.

Squid move through the ocean with the use of small fins and a funnel propulsion system. This system involves the intake of water into the body and its expulsion out the back of the squid. This allows squids to be fairly dexterous in their travel and maneuvering.

While they most likely did not attack and capsize large vessels as purported in ancient tales, there is a good chance giant squid were seen throughout the world. Giant squid larvae are transported via current throughout the oceans and develop into mature animals throughout the ocean. While colossal squid are known to reside solely in arctic waters, giant squid have been found in every ocean.

The giant squid is an animal shrouded in mystery. While encounters have been made throughout history and it has claimed its spot in many cultures’ mythologies, we still have a considerable lack of knowledge when it comes to this creature. It is no surprise however just how it became famous. The giant squid is unlike any other animal, with its massive, soft body, volleyball-sized eyes, formidable beak, and suction cup-laden tentacles.  It is no surprise that sailors spun such bolstered stories about the animal after they encountered it.

 

The orca is one of the most powerful apex predators in the world. The size of a school bus and weighing up to 6 tons, this creature’s size allows it to dominate the ocean and prey on marine animals, large and small. Contrary to their name however, these “killer whales” are not whales. Killer whales, or orcas, are the largest species of dolphin in the ocean. Whale or dolphin, orcas are known for their size and tenacity when hunting—preying creatively on just about anything.

Orcas are found throughout the ocean, from polar regions to the Equator. Typically though, orcas favor cold, coastal waters. Orcas’ diets vary, consisting of seals, sea lions, fish, squids, seabirds, and even other whales. What enables such a large scope of predation is their means of hunting. Orcas hunt in pods of up to 40 members. There are distinctive behavioral differences to be observed between two types of orca pods, transient and resident, that affect what and how they hunt.

Resident pods are most often found in the waters of British Columbia and Washington. These pods remain in one area to live and hunt. Transient pods are nomadic, ranging throughout the Ocean. Along with a difference in ecological location, these pods also differ anatomically. Transient killer whales are a meter or so longer on average and lack much of the pigmentation that resident pod individuals have. This can be seen in the “saddle” region, located behind the top dorsal fin. Transient orcas also have longer, more pointed dorsal fins which make them easier to distinguish. Because of their roving lifestyle, transient orcas feed on marine mammals far more than the fish-eating resident orcas. Their larger size can be attributed to necessity when hunting sea lions, porpoises, and small whales.

In terms of behavior and socialization, these types of orcas also differ. Resident orcas tend to live in larger pods than transient orcas. Based off of closely related matrilines, pods can form clans with other pods of similar dialects and common maternal heritage. As the social structure increases in level, the bond becomes looser. At its base level, matrilines, the orcas maintain a very tight community—leaving only for hours at a time. Transient pods consist of usually one small matriline. These mother-offspring groups roam the ocean together, but it is not uncommon for permanent separation of a member. Some male orcas are known as “rovers” and only join pods temporarily for mating, spending the rest of their time alone. In terms of socialization, resident orcas are far more communicative. Hunting only fish, resident orcas will communicate through vocalizations and echolocation. Fish cannot hear the sounds emitted by their pursuers and are thus oblivious to the oncoming attack. Resident orcas will also celebrate when coming together as a larger group, breaching the water and slapping tails. Transient orcas are very different. Hunting mammals, which can hear the clicks and whistles of the pod, transient orcas remain silent for much of their travel—not wanting to be heard by their prey.

Across the two types, hunting techniques are creative and well executed. Hunting like a wolf pack, orcas have been known to target prey as a group, make waves to wash seals off of ice floes, and even launch themselves on land to reach sea lion pups and scare others into the water.

Despite the controversy surrounding aquariums and exhibits like Sea World, orcas have never been extensively hunted by humans. The treatment of these intelligent giants has been drawn to question when looking at organizations such as these. The morality of keeping animals used to such large habitats in tiny enclosures is something that has been in recent debate for quite some time.  I hope that, after reading this article, you are more aware of just how unique this animal is and better understand the ethical debate against their captivity.