Humboldt Squids Attacking California Coast

Special Production of the Invasion on YouTube

The Humboldt Squid, also known as the Jumbo Squid, Jumbo Flying Squid, or Red Devil are invading the California coast. The squid are native to the coast of Mexico and have been known to attack humans. The Humboldt Squid are carnivorous marine invertebrates that normally hunt in schools of up to 1,200 propelled by water ejected through a hyponome and their two-diamond shape fins. They normally live for only one year, but Scientist suggests that they could possibly live up to four years. The squid can rapidly change their skin color to a deep purplish red to white. Humboldt Squid are normally found from Tierra del Fuego to California in waters at depths of 200 - 700 meters and can swim up to 15mph and skim over water to escape their predators.

Lately, they have been heading north and in shallow waters, which has become too close for comfort for many. The National Academy of Sciences of the United States did a recent study and found by the end of this century ocean acidification will lower the Humboldt squid's metabolic rate by 31% and activity levels by 45% which will cause the squid to go to the shallower waters so they can get their oxygen at higher levels.

They have been spreading into the waters of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska since the large 1997 - 1998 El Niño. During the 2002 El Niño, the Humboldt Squid were found in Monterey Bay in even higher numbers and are now being seen year round. Are we going to even see more with the with the return of the 2009-2010 El Niño winter season? http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1927662/el_nio_will_be_returning_for_2009_2010.html?cat=58. Other factors could be happening such as the decrease in upper trophic level predators which would compete with the Humboldt Squid for food which could be causing them to migrate north.