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Vampire Squid

Vampyroteuthis infernalis

Last updated: February 24, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
  1. Animals Home
  2. All Animals
  3. Invertebrates
  4. Vampire Squid

Each of its eight arms has spines, though they use two filaments to eat.

Continue Reading after the facts...


Vampire Squid Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Cephalopoda
Order
Vampyromorphida
Family
Vampyroteuthidae
Genus
Vampyroteuthis
Scientific Name
Vampyroteuthis infernalis

Vampire Squid Conservation Status

  • Not Listed
Vampire Squid Locations

Vampire Squid Facts

Prey
Marine snow, dead planktonic creatures
Group Behavior
  • Solitary
Fun Fact
Each of its eight arms has spines, though they use two filaments to eat.
Estimated Population Size
Not known
Biggest Threat
Whales, large fishes, and sea lions
Most Distinctive Feature
Red or blue eyes
Gestation Period
13 months
Water Type
  • Salt
Habitat
Tropical and temperate deep waters around the globe
Predators
Whales, large fishes, and sea lions
Diet
Omnivore
Favorite Food
Marine snow and detritus that contains dead planktonic creatures and fecal pellets
Type
Sea creature
Common Name
Vampire squid
Number Of Species
1

Vampire Squid Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Red
  • Black
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
8 years of adult life, much longer total life span
Weight
Approximately 1 pound
Length
Approximately 12 inches

Vampire Squid Images

Click through all of our Vampire Squid images in the gallery.

View all of the Vampire Squid images!



The vampire squid is a small cephalopod and is found in the tropical as well as temperate oceans.

They usually exist in the deep seas and use bioluminescent organs and oxygen metabolism to survive parts of the sea that have extremely low levels of oxygen.

This sea creature resembles both squid and an octopus. However, it is none of the two. It has eight arms and two tentacles. The vampire squid’s name comes from its dark color and also the skin that connects it’s multiple arms – forming a cape-like structure.

Vampire squids have two filaments. However, these sea creatures are only able to extend one filament that helps these fishes overcome energy deficiencies in areas where the concentration of oxygen is low.

Incredible Vampire Squid Facts!

  • Arms with spines: Each of the vampire squid’s eight arms has spines that are arranged in two rows.
  • Largest eyes in the animal kingdom: These sea creatures have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom in comparison to the size of the body.
  • Multi-colored eyes: The eyes of the creature look either red or blue – depending upon the light that they are in that particular moment.
  • A unique way to move forward: These creatures move forward by ejecting water from a hidden organ.
  • Seldom eaters: Vampire squid only needs to eat a few times every week.

Vampire Squid Classification and Scientific Name

The vampire squid belongs to the class cephalopod and goes by the scientific name Vampyroteuthis infernalis. It belongs to the Animalia kingdom and Mollusca phylum. Interestingly, the literal translation of the scientific name is “vampire squid of hell,” creating a rather memorable moniker for this creature.

Obviously, the vampire squid isn’t actually a vampire. In fact, it seems to have come from early ancestors of the octopus, and it is considered to be an extremophile (i.e. lives 3,000 feet below sea level). Despite the name, it isn’t actually a squid, but it does have a distant relation to both squids and octopi.

The order and family that the vampire squids belong to are Vampyromorphida and Vampyroteuthid, respectively.

Vampire Squid Species

Currently, there are only one species of these creatures. However, scientists believe that there were others too as some fossils of the species belonging to the same family.

Vampire Squid Appearance

These creatures have gelatinous bodies and are jet black to pale reddish. The body colors depend on the different locations and also on the kind of lighting that the creature exists in.

It resembles both squid and an octopus but is neither. Though the lineage relates them to both, the creature is quite unique with a size that is approximately that of a football. In fact, it is about the same shape as well.
They have eight arms that are webbed together by skin and two tentacles that have spine-like features on them – which is one of the reasons that these sea creatures got their name.

These creatures have red eyes that also sometimes look blue in different lighting and they move forward by ejecting water from a hidden organ. They use bioluminescent organs and oxygen metabolism to survive low oxygen parts of the sea.

A young Vampire squid swimming among white particles in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) model at the Natural History Museum in London, England.

Vampire Squid Distribution, Population, and Habitat

These creatures are found between 300 to 3000 meters of sea depth. A majority of them are found at depths of 1500 to 2500 meters.

These sea creatures are also distributed direction wise. The north-south distribution is usually localized between the fortieth degree north as well as south latitudes. The water in such locations is about two to six degrees.

These creatures are found in the tropical and temperate deep waters all around the globe. Their habitats usually comprise of very cold waters.

The population of the vampire squids is not yet known. However, NOAA has declared these sea creatures to be ‘not threatened’ and it has been said that they are not even slightly dangerous for humans.

Vampire Squid Predators and Prey

Like any other living creature, they are also preyed upon. Meanwhile, they also prey on other living organisms to fulfill their food needs.

Predators: What Eats Vampire Squid

Some of the creatures that form the primary predators for these creatures include:

  • Whales
  • Large fish
  • Sea lions

Prey: What Vampire Squids Eat

Meanwhile, the vampire squids are detritivores and are the only cephalopods that do not eat live animals. They usually feed on marine snow and detritus that includes fecal pellets and dead planktonic creatures.

Vampire Squid Reproduction and Lifespan

Sources suggest that at the time of reproduction, the male passes packets full of sperm to the female. The females then store these packets in pouches until they need the sperm.

The sperm can rest in the pouch or sac for several weeks before they get to fertilize the egg. It is known that one such packet can be observed as a red dot-like structure near the eye of the creature.

The gestation period lasts about 13 months – during which, the female vampire squid doesn’t eat. It is known to often die after giving birth – the cause of which is known to be exhaustion.

The babies usually don’t eat for some time after birth as they are born with internal reserves of energy.

These sea creatures reach sexual maturity for reproduction at about two years of age and are known to constantly reproduce throughout their lives until death.

The lifespan of a vampire squid is usually very long. While the total lifespan is unknown, the adult life stage of the squids can last up to eight years.

Vampire Squid in Fishing and Cooking

There is very little known about whether or not vampire squids can be fished out from the sea by humans and whether or not they can be cooked and incorporated into the human diet.

However, it is known that they aren’t easy to catch because they stay in very deep waters where light can be restricted. Also, they are known to be harmless and are not considered even slightly dangerous for humans.

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Vampire Squid FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Where are vampire squid found?

Vampire squids are found in the tropical and temperate waters around the globe and live in 300 to 3000 meters deep sea waters.

What does a vampire squid eat?

Vampire squids usually eat marine snow and detritus that contains dead planktonic creatures and fecal pellets.

Why is it called a vampire squid?

Vampire squids get their name from the color of their bodies and eyes which sometimes can be pale red to dark red. They also have spine-like structures on tentacles that also give them the name.

Where are vampire squid found?

Vampire squids are found in the tropical and temperate waters around the globe and live in 300 to 3000 meters deep sea waters.

Are vampire squid dangerous?

No, NOAA has declared that the vampire squids are not even slightly dangerous for humans.

How big are vampire squids?

Vampire squids are usually about 12 inches long.

What Kingdom do Vampire Squid belong to?

Vampire Squid belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Vampire Squid belong to?

Vampire Squid belong to the phylum Mollusca.

What class do Vampire Squid belong to?

Vampire Squid belong to the class Cephalopoda.

What family do Vampire Squid belong to?

Vampire Squid belong to the family Vampyroteuthidae.

What order do Vampire Squid belong to?

Vampire Squid belong to the order Vampyromorphida.

What genus do Vampire Squid belong to?

Vampire Squid belong to the genus Vampyroteuthis.

What are some predators of Vampire Squid?

Predators of Vampire Squid include whales, large fish, and sea lions.

What is the scientific name for the Vampire Squid?

The scientific name for the Vampire Squid is Vampyroteuthis infernalis.

How many species of Vampire Squid are there?

There is 1 species of Vampire Squid.

How many species of Vampire Squid are there?

There is 1 species of Vampire Squid.

What is a distinguishing feature of the Vampire Squid?

Vampire Squid have red or blue eyes.

How many species of Vampire Squid are there?

There is 1 species of Vampire Squid.

What is the biggest threat to the Vampire Squid?

The biggest threats to Vampire Squid are whales, large fish, and sea lions.

How many Vampire Squids are left in the world?

The population size of the Vampire Squid is unknown.

What is an interesting fact about Vampire Squids?

Each of a Vampire Squid’s eight arms has spines, though they use two filaments to eat.

Sources
  1. Oceana, Available here: https://oceana.org/marine-life/cephalopods-crustaceans-other-shellfish/vampire-squid
  2. Soft Schools, Available here: https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/vampire_squid_facts/971/
  3. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_squid
  4. National Ocean Service, Available here: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/vampire-squid-fish.html
  5. Everywhere Wild, Available here: https://everywherewild.com/vampire-squid/
  6. Aquarium of the Pacific, Available here: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/vampire_squid
  7. Mbari, Available here: https://www.mbari.org/vampire-squid-live-long-and-reproduce-often/
  8. Live Science, Available here: https://www.livescience.com/50534-vampire-squid-unique-spawning-strategy.html
  9. Marine Bio, Available here: https://marinebio.org/species/vampire-squid/vampyroteuthis-infernalis/

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