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The Mysterious Red Devil: Why do Humboldt squids flash red and white when caught?
The Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as the giant squid, lives in the deep waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean and has become one of the most important squid species in global fisheries. The squid possesses a variety of characteristics, the most striking of which is its unique ability to flash red and white, which makes it appear like a mysterious red demon during capture. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the hunting behavior of the Humboldt squid and its peculiar color-changing mechanism.
The Humboldt squid is capable of rapidly changing body color, known as "color change," and this rapid flashing behavior is thought to be a form of communication.
Basic introduction to Humboldt squid
The Humboldt squid is the largest species in the family Ommastrephidae, with adults usually reaching a length of 1.5 meters and weighing up to 50 kilograms. This squid is extremely important for the method of capture, especially in the fisheries of Chile, Peru and Mexico. During its short life cycle of 1 to 2 years, the Humboldt squid displays strong predatory behavior and gregariousness, forming shoals of up to 1,200 individuals.
Biological mechanism of color change
The color change of the Humboldt squid is caused by special cells called pigment granules. These cells can rapidly contract or expand, causing the squid's surface color to rapidly switch between red and white. This color change is not only used during the struggle during capture, but may also be a signal for communication within the group or to warn companions.
When the Humboldt squid is captured, its entire body will alternately flash red and white at a frequency of 2 to 4 Hz, a behavior that may be used for internal communication.
Flicker during capture
When a Humboldt squid is caught, fishermen often see it flash red and white rapidly. This phenomenon not only stunned the fishermen, but also gave it the title of "Red Devil". It has been documented that this flashing behavior may be an expression of fear, excitement or an attempt to intimidate a predator. This strong color contrast makes the capture even more dramatic and has sparked various scientific speculations.
The impact of environmental factors
The Humboldt squid ranges from Tierra del Fuego in South America to California, and its range is expanding northward as global climate changes. Recent research shows that the squid change their behavior and distribution as water temperatures change, so their survival and reproduction are affected by changes in the external environment.
Social behavior of the Humboldt squid
Humboldt squid are a highly social species and their color-changing behavior has been observed when they are together, possibly as a form of communication between groups. They sometimes act in groups when hunting, and exploration of this behavior is crucial to understanding the creature's ecological role.
Relationship with humans
Humboldt squid occupy an important role in commercial fishing, but their relationship with humans is not limited to economics. There have been repeated reports of Humboldt squid exhibiting aggressive behavior toward divers and fishermen, and numerous underwater photographers have documented encounters between these squid and humans.
Although Humboldt squid are known for their hostility, in their non-predatory state they display curiosity and even interact with divers.
Conclusion
The red-and-white flashing behavior of the Humboldt squid not only attracted the attention of the scientific community, but also inspired people to think deeply about the behavior of this unique species. This phenomenon is not only a manifestation of their survival strategy, but also part of the wonderful ecological interactions in nature. As we further explore the mysteries of the ocean's depths, this mysterious creature may yet reveal many unknown scientific facts. Could the behavior of the Humboldt squid help us better understand changes in marine ecosystems in the near future?
