They Should Have Put It In A Smaller Jar

They Should Have Put It In A Smaller Jar

This week's "Smithsonian Snapshot" is a giant squid eye from their collection, not currently on display at the museum, i.e. ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE: But they TOTALLY should have put it in a smaller…
There Are More Than One Species Of Squid

There Are More Than One Species Of Squid

Fisherfolk can be tremendous founts of information about marine animals. They know where to find different species, what sort of baits they like best, what sizes to expect, and how all these things…
Some very cunning critters!

Some very cunning critters!

There's a paper out in ProcSoc B about aggressive mimicary, a very devious way to hunt by pretending to be prey or a mate, and then gobbling the hapless critter that comes to investigate. Here are…
Freshwater Squid . . .

Freshwater Squid . . .

. . . don't exist. But because it's finger squid season in Texas, I've been reading up on the closest approximation to a freshwater squid: the Atlantic brief squid, Lolliguncula brevis. It's a pretty…
Squid Have Mirror Eyeballs!

Squid Have Mirror Eyeballs!

It's one of the most persistent problems in camouflage: how do you hide your eyes? Skin is not that difficult to disguise. You can change its color, cover it up, match it to your environment. But…
I Like Whales Even Though They Eat Squid

I Like Whales Even Though They Eat Squid

I'll confess it. Even though they're the divas of the ocean, the quintessential charismatic megafauna, even though they overshadow all the other weird and wonderful marine life, I still like whales.…
Musical Migration

Musical Migration

This is the best song I have heard all year. (Thanks to i'm a chordata! for the shout out.) I might even go so far as to say it's the best song I will hear all year. What could possibly be more…