Quick Take
- Bobtail squids produce light, and that is precisely how they vanish. See how light hides them →
- Their endearing 'bedtime routine' doubles as a life-or-death defense mechanism. Discover the bedtime defense →
- A microscopic hitchhiker is responsible for one of the ocean's most sophisticated camouflage tricks. Meet the bioluminescent hitchhiker →
- Bobtail squids are most vulnerable when they stop moving, so here's what they do about it. See how they hide at rest →
Sea life is full of strange and amazing creatures. One example is the bobtail squid, which is one of the cutest creatures out there. They are extremely tiny with adorable button eyes, and watching any of their videos online will instantly make your day. This Instagram post by @yusura0846 shows one of these squids covering itself with pebbles, almost like it’s tucking itself into bed. Read here to learn more.
Bobtail squids have a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria Vibrio fischeri, which makes them bioluminescent.
©RobJ808/Shutterstock.com
Bobtail Squid Bedtime
The bobtail squid is a relatively unknown species in the United States. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, Indonesia, and Australia, these squids inhabit sandy ocean floors and seagrass beds. One of their most defining features is their small size. Bobtail squids range from around half an inch to three inches long, making them incredibly difficult to spot while diving. Another defining feature, and one of their cutest, is their large, round eyes. Bobtail squids are nocturnal hunters, and their large eyes are adapted for low-light environments to help them see in the dark. Another fascinating adaptation related to their nocturnal lifestyle is a behavior called counter-illumination. In this process, animals use bioluminescence on their undersides to match the light coming from above. For these squids, this means matching the moonlight that filters through the water, which helps them camouflage while hunting at night.
The video provides an adorable look at how bobtail squids take care of themselves during the day. Since they are most active at night, they rest and recover during the day. This is also a dangerous time since so many of their predators, such as larger fish, are on the prowl. To avoid any unwanted encounters, they cover themselves with sand, leaving only their eyes exposed. This helps them stay mostly hidden while still being able to detect any threats. By combining bioluminescent camouflage with the habit of burying themselves in sand, bobtail squids are among the stealthiest creatures in the ocean!
