The spider squid by: sydney tivoli // period six

*Picture not to scale*

Scientific Name: Arachno loligo // Common Name: Spider Squid

Zones the Spider Squid Inhabits: Aphotic Zone (from about 200m down to bottom of ocean; absent of light; temperatures range from 0 degrees Celsius to 6 degrees Celsius), Hadalpelagic Zone (about 6,000m down to bottom of ocean; includes trenches and deep ocean canyons; extreme pressure), Hadal Zone (includes deepest trenches of ocean; about 6,000m to bottom of ocean; complete absence of light)

Abiotic Factors of the Spider Squid's Habitat: -Sediment and salt are found at the seafloor, a result of sea currents that have carried and dispersed them throughout the ocean. -Climate temperature ranges from about 1-2.5 degrees Celsius. However, temperature increases below 4000m due to adiabatic heating. -Extreme pressure is felt at these depths. Pressure is measured at about 8 tons per square inch, about the weight of 48 blue whales squishing you from all directions. -These depths have a total absence of light.

Traits of the Spider Squid: The Spider Squid is an invertebrate, with no backbone. This allows the creature to survive under the extreme pressure at these depths. The squid has five tentacles the allow it to easily grab onto prey. These tentacles also release a poisonous venom that will stun victims and allow for easier attack on prey. The squid's tentacles are very strong and propel it through the water rapidly. The squid has two monstrously huge eyes that allow it to see the maximum amount of bioluminescence from other creatures. The squid's gills, located on the side of its torso, allow it to absorb oxygen from the water. While most creatures of the Hadal Zone lack pigment, the squid is completely black. This allows it to be completely invisible to other creatures, enabling the squid to surprise attack victims. The Spider Squid has a mouth full of sharp, pointy teeth that allow it to efficiently chew food.

How the Spider Squid Moves: The squid's incredibly strong tentacles propel it through the water at a speed unlike any other Hadal Zone creature. The Spider Squid's rapid speeds make it the fiercest predator of the Hadal Zone.

Here's a picture of me and a Spider Squid down at 7,000m below sea level...Don't ask me how I survived at these extreme pressures!

The Spider Squid's Menu:The squid eats the majority of all creatures inhabiting the lowest depths of the ocean. Its appetite largely consists of jellyfish, viperfish, tube worms, sea cucumbers, spook fish, liparid fish, and ray-tail fish. The squid consumes these organisms by grabbing them with its tentacles and scooping them into its mouth of sharp teeth.

Size of the Spider Squid: The average male Spider Squid weighs 40,000 lbs and is 72 feet long. The average female Spider Squid weighs 38,000 lbs and is 68 feet long.

Color of the Spider Squid: Spider Squids are completely black in color. This allows them to travel through the depths of the ocean undetected by their prey.

Spider Squid's Method of Defense: The Spider Squid uses its strong tentacles to swim through the water very quickly, enabling it to quickly escape any threatening visitors. The squid shoots poisonous venom from its tentacles if it feels threatened or aims it at any creature it desires to prey on.

What type of organism is the Spider Squid? The Spider Squid is a nektonic organism, which means it swims freely through the ocean. Its strong tentacles propel it through the water at rapid speeds.

How does the Spider Squid breathe? The Spider Squid's gills allow it to absorb dissolved oxygen from the water.

Reproduction of Spider Squids: Spider Squids reproduce by finding a mate using vibrational sounds. The largest males usually find more female mates. The male fertilizes the female's eggs by placing a spermatophore, or sack of eggs, into the female's mantle. Once two squids mate, the female lays the eggs inside an egg case, which is anchored to the sea floor. The Spider Squid reproduces in this manner because it is completely dark in the Hadal Zone and squids must use their vibrational mating calls to find other Spider Squids. Fertilized eggs are anchored to the sea floor in order to prevent predators from eating them and aid the mortality rate of the new baby squids.

Don't judge a book by its cover. The Spider Squid may be a huge and vicious predator, but he is polite and gives firm handshakes....FULL OF VENOM!
After a long day of propelling through the Hadal Zone, the Spider Squid tucks himself in for a rest.

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