San Diego beach managers are puzzled by a sudden swarm of giant Humboldt Squid. These voracious predators grow to 7 feet and over 100 pounds despite their 1 year lifespan. Something has caused these unique predators to invade shallow coastal waters and to wash up on shore, creating a human safety hazard and drawing attention from divers and ecologists worldwide.
While ecologists have yet to announce an official reason for the Red Devil squid habitat shift, climate change, El Nino, and even undersea earthquakes are all being speculated by divers, and beach goers. These creatures, which are prolific in deep water habitats up and down the west coast of the Americas, feed on smaller squid, rock fish, sardines, and anchovies. This invasion has fisheries managers concerned that the squid will decimate fish populations in these shallow waters, and scare tourists away from popular diving spots.
Despite the aggressive tendencies of the Humboldt Squid, some divers are intentionally swimming amongst these creatures without extra protection. Stories of "near-misses" from veteran divers in the area are creating quite a buzz. While some divers fear for their personal safety, the opportunity to dive with these giants may be too attractive for others to pass up.
The Humboldt Squid moves via jet propulsion at speeds approaching 25mph. Their 10 tentacles are covered with fang-lined suckers, and conceal a parrot-like beak that is capable of taking a fist-sized bite out of larger prey. Their skin changes color rapidly, often white when near other squids, red when feeding, black when dead or unconscious, and flashing between black and white when alarmed or angry.
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