See a Squid That Looks Like Something Straight From Science Fiction Floating Around Alaska

The ocean is vastly unexplored and filled with incredible flora and fauna. Recently, a rare sighting of something that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie was spotted near Alaska. Squids are already extraordinary creatures in and of themselves due to their incredibly distinctive characteristics, which vary based on the species. 

As a result, an unusual translucent creature with hypnotizing eyes was discovered off the coast. On July 15, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ocean Exploring team discovered the squid, known as the Taonius borealis. 

The 2,300-foot-underwater animal was discovered with eyes that were so red, they looked like something out of a horror movie. The Alaskan Aleutian Islands were the focus of the scientists’ search in the Pacific Ocean using a remotely operated vehicle. 

Their goal for the first dive, known as Seascape Alaska Three, was to map uncharted deep marine regions. The creature, known as a glass squid, was caught on camera by explorers and uploaded to the NOAA Ocean Explorer YouTube page on August 16. 

The squid was depicted inverted, with its frame looking like glass, and its translucent skin revealing the animal’s innards. 

All About The Glass Squid

This animal can reach a length of 26 inches. The NOAA official claimed that although the squid displays unusual characteristics, it was normal. The squid’s eyeball appeared to retract in the video at one point when it was encircled by a purple ring. 

This behavior gave the impression that the critter was blinking. The marine life possesses a feature under each eye that was referred to as a “crescent-shaped structure,” which provided the eye with more detail than the remainder of its body. 

The squid’s eyes contained photophores or organs that emit light to aid the animal in luring prey. They glide freely through the water in quest of mates and food because they are brimming with ammonium chloride, a substance that is lighter than saltwater. 

Glass squid’s translucent bodies can assist them in blending in with their environment. This can keep them safe from possible predators. The chromatophores of the glass squid enlarge when spotted by a predator. 

This ends up giving them a darker appearance. These animals may choose to fill their bodily cavities with ink instead, in order to blend in with the background. A glass squid may also spew ink into its surroundings and jet off when a threat is present. 

The squid is able to flee thanks to an eerie ink veil.

Take a Look at This Cool Creature! 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original

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