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Hawaiian Bobtail Squid

Hawaiian bobtail squids give off a remarkable glow! These squids are bioluminescent, meaning they can produce and emit light — a special feature thanks to a bioluminescent bacterium that they play host to.

 

The Hawaiian bobtail squid is a small but fascinating cephalopod found in the shallow coastal waters of Hawaii. Measuring only an average of 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) long, this cephalopod spends most of the day buried in sand to hide from predators like barracuda, lizardfish, and Hawaiian monk seals — sometimes even “gluing” sand to its body to enhance its camouflage! At night, it becomes active, hunting mostly small crustaceans by waiting hidden in the sand for prey to pass by and then ambushing them with its tentacles. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Hawaiian bobtail squid is its capability for bioluminescence. Through a special light organ in the squid’s mantle, it hosts a bacterium that produces light. It can even control the amount of light it gives off, allowing the squid to match the ambient light of the ocean so they can hide from predators in the water — a behavior known as counterillumination! 

 

 

Not much is known about threats that the Hawaiian bobtail squid might face. Because scientists are still determining how to tell some species of bobtail squids apart, it is not known if the species is threatened worldwide. However, like all ocean animals, they depend on healthy, clean, abundant oceans to survive.

 

 

We know that when our oceans are well protected, they thrive. A clean, healthy, and abundant ocean benefits wildlife around the world. By speaking up and working together, we can all be part of the fight to protect and restore our oceans. Learn more about Oceana’s campaigns to protect and restore marine biodiversity and abundance here.

 

 

 

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