Squid are a type of cephalopod mollusc and are related to octopuses, cuttlefish and nautiluses. Squid have a distinctive shape with a long cylindrical body and eight arms which are attached to the head. Squid also have two tentacles which they use to capture prey. The body of a squid is surrounded by a thin layer of skin called the mantle. Underneath the mantle is a muscular foot used for locomotion.
Squid are found in all oceans at depths of between 200 and 2000 metres. They prefer temperate waters but can also be found in tropical waters. Squid are predators and their diet consists of fish, crustaceans and other squid. They use their tentacles to capture prey which they then kill with their beak-like mouths. Squid also have ink sacs which they use as a defence mechanism when attacked by predators or when trying to escape from predators themselves. When under attack, squid release ink into the water which confuses their attacker and allows them to make their escape.
Squid are an important food source for humans and are caught commercially all over the world. In some areas of Japan, Spain and Italy, squid is considered a delicacy and is served in high-end restaurants