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Squid Orgies: Do It and Die
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by Jordan Yerman | February 14, 2009 at 11:25 am
672 views | 7 Recommendations | 5 comments
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What do you do if you're at the bottom of the oceanic food chain? Why, engage in massive orgies while would-be predators lurk nearby, of course.
Just a day in the life of a market squid.
These little invertibrates have just one thing on their mind, and that's getting it on while the getting's good, as if it's the last thing they'll do. Actually, it pretty much is the last thing they'll do.
Squids are rather predictable exhibitionists. They have big group orgies in the same spot on the coast at the same time every year. The threat of getting caught might be part of the thrill, but successful spawners don't take needless risks. There's not much the squids can do about the dolphins, sharks, and fish lining up to eat them in flagrante, but swimming up toward the bright, shiny lights at the surface doesn't end well. Most of the squid in the United States is caught while making the beast with two beaks—the fishermen lure mating pairs up to the surface with bright light, then scoop them up in nets. Smart squids avoid getting made into calamari by spawning safely at the bottom.
... that's hot.
Most cephalopods—squid, octopus, and cuttlefish—live fast and die young after just one season of righteous action.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (5)
at 11:56 on February 14th, 2009
a funny piece ...
at 13:12 on February 14th, 2009
This is an indoor photo of a cluster of squid eggs incubating in a tank at the Seattle Acquarium. in August 2008. The eggs were delicately harvested off of an underwater piling beneath the aquarium site.
Rosemarys Unconsious Trees has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:49 on February 15th, 2009
LOL!
at 09:45 on February 15th, 2009
Just want to clarity that my photos (the blue-water ones) are of Caribbean reef squid mating in Bonaire, not market squid off the US coast. I don't think they're in as much danger of dying for doing the deed, because there is no fishing allowed anywhere near the island. It is still a fascinating story, and I hope people find the photos interesting.
at 13:31 on February 15th, 2009
Between Jan to late March of each year, squid eggs can be seen in 20 - 50 feet of water along California coastal line by thousands. Unfortunately, most of the eggs are being eaten by bat rays or in this case by the starfish.
Tom Yang has contributed a photo to this story.