Humboldt Invasion

Two Squid

You've heard about following your bliss. Well, here's a creature that's simply following dinner.

The Humboldt is a large squid sometimes called the "red devil" by fishermen in the Gulf of California because of its reddish skin and aggressive predatory behavior. Their diet includes lanternfish, and hake -- small fish that live in oxygen-depleted waters with hardly any sunlight.

Lately, there's been an invasion of Humboldt squid just off the California coast. Some suggest it's because there are fewer fin-fish like sharks to hunt them. But sperm whales, a key Humboldt predator, appear to have doubled their numbers in the last 15 years. So, then why are there more Humboldt squid?

Stanford biologist William Gilly says that since 1984, oxygen levels at all depths have dropped up to 20 percent. This could be in part due to both climate change and fertilizer run off. Since squid prey thrive in low-oxygen areas, more habitat has meant more prey fish, and presto! A boom in the Humbolt population.

There's no direct evidence yet, but scientists suspect the swelling squid population may eventually translate to fewer fish available for human consumption...

Hmm. Calamari anyone?

Script by Pat Florez

Discovery Links

To learn more about today’s topic, please explore the links below:

• Jumbo Squid Following Low Oxygen Zone
• Jumbo or Humboldt Squid Facts
• Stanford biologist William Gilly (National Geographic)
• Gilly's Tagging Humboldt Squid
• PBS Special on the Humboldt
• Big squid eating way through California