cross-posted from: https://lemmygrad.ml/post/4424284

The vampire squid is a small cephalopod found throughout temperate and tropical oceans in extreme deep sea conditions. The vampire squid uses its bioluminescent organs and its unique oxygen metabolism to thrive in the parts of the ocean with the lowest concentrations of oxygen. Its huge, bright blue eyes — proportionally the largest in the animal kingdom — dark color, and the velvety, cloak-like webbing that connects its arms give the vampire squid its common name. Its scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, literally means “vampire squid of Hell”! Vampire squid are found in temperate and tropical deep-water zones worldwide at depths of 600 to 1200 m (1958 to 3937 ft). The water temperature at those depths is very cold, 2-6o C (35.6 to 42.8 o F). The vampire squid is no bloodsucker — it’s a detritivore, meaning it eats dead organic material. It’s the only living cephalopod species that doesn’t eat live prey. What’s on the menu? Mostly marine snow: particles of dead animals, rotting materials, poop, and snot. The part of the deep sea the vampire squid calls home is low in oxygen, and therefore also free of many predators. But predators exist nonetheless and include fishes, cephalopods, sea lions, sharks, and whales. Unlike most other cephalopods, a vampire squid reproduces multiple times in its life. A male vampire squid transfers his sperm to the female with his funnel (a cylindrical muscular structure found in all cephalopods used for respiration and movement). The lifespan of a vampire squid is usually very long. While the total lifespan is unknown, the adult life stage of squids can last up to eight years.