Vampire squid are a small cephalopod found in deep waters across the globe. Their scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, means “vampire squid from hell”. They were so named because of their dark red coloration and their habit of feeding on other animals.
Vampire squids are among the strangest creatures in the sea. They have large eyes that take up much of their head, and eight long tentacles that they use to capture prey. Their bodies are covered in a network of veins, which gives them a spooky appearance.
Despite their fearsome appearance, vampire squids are gentle giants. They feed primarily on detritus (dead matter) that falls to the ocean floor. They also eat small fish and crustaceans if they can catch them. Vampire squids use their powerful tentacles to subdue their prey before sucking out its body fluids with their beak-like mouths.
While most squid are active during the day, vampire squids are most active at night. This is likely due to the fact that they live in deep waters where there is little light. Vampire squids typically spend their days resting on the ocean floor, waiting for nightfall so they can go hunting for food.
Despite being active at night, vampire squids are not vampires! Contrary to popular belief, vampire squids do not suck blood from other animals. In fact, they don’t even have teeth! So how do these strange creatures get their name?
The answer lies in ancient folklore. For centuries, people have been telling stories about vampires – mythical creatures that drink blood from humans and animals alike. These stories likely inspired the name “vampire squid” when it was first coined by scientists in 1873.