AnimalID

Name

5421

Giant Squid

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General Information

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Description:

For many years, the Giant Squid has been one of the great mysteries of the undersea world. Architeuthis dux, the world's largest invertebrate, was considered a maritime legend for many years. Legend became fact when Giant Squid remains washed up on beaches were identified. Scientists have recorded over 200 giant squid found on beaches and over 30 found tangled in the nets of deep sea fishermen. Until now, though, no one has ever seen a giant squid alive, much less kept one alive in captivity.

The giant squid is a cephalopod (meaning "head foot"), an animal with its shell on the inside. This inner shell takes the form of a long, flexible rod called the "pen" or "gladius." Many invertebrates have much higher ratios of brain mass to body mass than the vertebrates they share habitats with, and the giant squid is no exception.These carnivores are formidable hunters. The giant squid has eight arms, each with two rows of suckers, as well as two additional feeding tentacles ending in toothed suckers. The giant squid encloses its prey in its powerful tentacles and uses its sharp parrot-like beak to break off small bites. It is very important to take small bites, since the esophagus runs through the brain. A large bite could puncture the brain, killing the giant squid.

While most other carnivores avoid the giant squid, there are a few predators who are a match for this cephalopod. The sperm whale, in particular, uses giant squid as a main staple of its diet. These whales have evolved a material known as ambergris that permits them to pass the indigestible beaks. However, subduing a 60-foot squid isn't easy, and many sperm whales bear scars from their struggles.

The largest squid discovered to date was a 57-foot long specimen that washed up on a beach. It is thought that healthy members of the species may grow to be even longer. Most of the organs of any squid (giant or not) are located in the mantle--the large sac in front of the animal's head. On the mantle are two long flaps called fins, as well as the gills the giant squid uses to breathe.

Protruding from the giant squid’s mantle, beneath its huge eye (the largest eye of any known animal), is the siphon. The siphon is a tube-like organ used for propulsion. By filling the siphon with water and then expelling it, the giant squid can propel itself through the water. Body orientation allows the creature to control the direction of travel. Because its muscles contain ammonium, the giant squid is naturally buoyant and can choose to lazily drift through the water until prey comes into view. No one has ever seen a giant squid feed in the wild, but scientists suspect that they feed on large marine creatures.Very little is known about these strange creatures of the deep. However, scientists are sure that keeping one in captivity won't be easy.

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General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which tank wall is suitable for this animal?     Remember that all tanks need a tank filter!

How big should the exhibit be and what Depth should the tank be?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

Does this animal perform in a show?

No

TankWallName

Purchase Cost

See Through

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Concrete Edge and Glass

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Atlantean Tank Wall

$125

Yes

3

500

13

10.4

Solid Concrete

$125

No

3

500

13

10.4

Black Bar and Glass

$130

Yes

3

500

13

10.0

General Information

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The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

50

1

2

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Rocks

Foliage

Exhibit Size

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The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

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Who do they like to live with and eat?

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

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Who do they like to live with and eat?

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

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ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

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Who do they like to live with and eat?

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

Lion's Mane Jelly

5

KeeperFoodType:

Fish

Mermaid

10

Lion's Mane Jelly

Pacific Octopus

5

Green Moray Eel

Southern Sea Otter

Pacific Octopus

Green Sea Turtle

Bluefin Tuna

Great Barracuda

Man

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?