Slow your scroll and hang out with this supercool squid for a minute. 〰️
Gonatus onyx, or the black-eyed squid, is one of the most common squids we see in the deep midwater. These squid grow rapidly, are active swimmers, and have among the highest metabolism of all cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus). We often observe this species of squid eating something else (viperfish, lanternfish, OTHER SQUIDS).
The black-eyed squid is an active predator, searching through the water column to capture a fish or shrimp. When the squid finds its target, it shoots out two long feeding tentacles, each tipped with suckers and claw-like hooks to snag their prey. Once captured, the squid reels in the fish and grabs it securely with its eight arms. It then uses its sharp beak to sever the fish’s spinal cord, rendering it helpless, and begin to devour its substantial meal.