The Sea of Cortez - Humboldt squid of Loreto
Locations
The Sea of Cortez
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Introduction
The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a unique corner of the Pacific Ocean. This remarkable young sea is thought to be around five million years old and home to nearly 900 species of fish and the widest variety of whales and dolphins found anywhere on Earth. Some of the greatest changes threatening the world's oceans today can be seen in this stretch of water.
Humboldt squid, Loreto
Overview
Before 1950 there were no reports of Humboldt squid in the Sea of Cortez. Today however it is estimated that there are over 20 million of these fearsome predators in these waters. One of the reasons they are thought to be thriving is the high volume of fishing taking place in this area which has removed a large number of the top predators, such as sharks, from the food chain.
These creatures grow up to 2.5m long and can be cannibalistic when one of their own is caught on a fishing line or net. They hunt in large packs and there is a theory that suggests they communicate by rapidly changing the colour of their skin.
| Importance: | The Humboldt squid's increasing numbers demonstrate how easily the balance of marine life can be affected. |
| Dive category: | A dangerous dive that should only be attempted by experienced dive teams. It requires safety lines as it is rumoured that divers have been dragged down by several squid. |
| Access: | Difficult for any average diver. Scientists draw squid up from the deep by fishing lures and study them at night, a time when squid swim at more shallow depths. |
Interesting for
- Humboldt squid's cannibalistic activity
- An eerie eye-witness account of squid attacking other vulnerable members of their own species by LiveScience
- Scientists see squid attack squid
- Dramatic increase of Humboldt squid in Sea of Cortez
- A National Wildlife article about biologist Professor William Gilly's research on the Humboldt squid
- The curious case of the cannibal squid
- Humboldt squid
- The Smithsonian National Zoological Park's fact sheet on the Humboldt squid
- Humboldt or jumbo squid
BBC related content
- Oceans ultimate dives: Philippe Cousteau's animal dive
- Oceans presenter biography: Tooni Mahto
- Oceans presenter biography: Philippe Cousteau
- Oceans image gallery: The Sea of Cortez
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