Scientists recently captured an astonishing sight deep in the Pacific Ocean: a new species of squid burying itself upside down in the seafloor. This unique behavior was witnessed during research in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), an area eyed for future deep-sea mining.
The encounter was documented in a study published in the journal Ecology. Researchers believe the squid is a type of whiplash squid, found about 13,450 feet (4,100 meters) below the surface. It had almost entirely hidden its body in mud, leaving only its siphon and two long tentacles exposed.
Lead researcher Alejandra Mejía-Saenz, a deep-sea ecologist, expressed her amazement at this behavior, saying, “We had never seen anything like that in cephalopods.” It’s particularly striking because while octopuses and cuttlefish are known for burying themselves, a deep-sea squid performing this action—and upside down—has never been observed before.
The observation occurred during the SMARTEX project, which aims to understand the potential impacts of deep-sea mining. As the researchers’ remotely operated vehicle (ROV) filmed the seafloor, they initially mistook the squid for part of the environment until they realized it was moving.
The team speculates that the squid may have been camouflaging itself to avoid predators or to lure in prey, possibly crustaceans. This tactic, called masquerading, allows predators to overlook it while it waits for food to come close. Jim Barry, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, noted that this behavior aligns with tactics seen in other organisms that share its habitat.
Deep-sea habitats like the CCZ are vast, yet largely unexplored. The exploration efforts have revealed very few encounters with cephalopods—only 33 in more than 3,100 miles of surveyed area. The limited observations highlight how much there is still to learn about these creatures.
With deep-sea mining looming as a potential threat, the discovery of this squid underscores the urgent need to study these ecosystems. As Barry emphasized, “It is imperative that we understand what life inhabits these sites and how vulnerable these biological communities are to human activities.”
This remarkable squid is not just an exciting find; it emphasizes the fragility of deep-sea environments and the importance of protecting them as we venture further into the ocean.
For more details on the study, visit the journal Ecology here.
