Rare footage captures a deep-sea “octopus squid” displaying its bioluminescent photophores as it attacks an underwater camera. This elusive squid, known for its large photophores that can stun and disorient prey, was filmed by researchers from the Minderoo Foundation and the University of Western Australia (UWA) Deep Sea Research Center. The encounter occurred around 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) below the Pacific Ocean’s surface near the Samoan Passage.
The footage features a Dana octopus squid (Taningia danae), a member of the Octopoteuthidae family, which is characterized by its eight arms. Juveniles also have two long tentacles that are lost as they mature. Known for their colossal size, the largest recorded individual was a 7.5-foot-long female. The squid in the video is approximately 2.5 feet long.
In the video, the squid emerges from the darkness, darts toward the camera, and engulfs it with its arms before quickly retreating. Just before the attack, it displays its bright, light-emitting photophores, the largest in the animal kingdom. These photophores emit bursts of light through a chemical reaction, and scientists believe they help the squid stun prey and possibly communicate with others of the same species.
Heather Stewart, a marine geologist and affiliate researcher at UWA, expressed excitement over capturing this rare footage, noting the significance of witnessing such a rare event. The squid’s bioluminescent display, used to startle prey, adds valuable information about the species’ behavior and habitat.
T. danae has only been observed alive a handful of times, first recorded about 19 years ago using a similar camera system. Encounters with these squids are valuable for understanding their geographic locations, depth, and behavior.
