Ram’s Horn Squid or Tail-light Squid

Spirula spirula

The Ram’s Horn or Tail-light Squid is a rarely seen deep-water species that has a light emitting organ at the tail-end of its body. The internal spirally-coiled shell, reaching 35 mm in diameter, is composed of numerous gas-filled chambers that give the squid buoyancy. The shell is positioned at the posterior end of the squid’s body. When the animal dies the shells float to the surface and wash up on beaches in large numbers, particularly after strong winds.

The species is cosmopolitan, occurring in all oceans.

Subject categories

Molluscs Cephalopods

Related topics

Name: Cephalopods Summary: This entirely marine class includes such familiar animals as the octopus, cuttlefish and squid and also the so-called ‘living-fossil’ Nautilus and the extinct ammonites. As the name suggests the limbs are closely associated with the head, and in most cephalopods these limbs (arms and tentacles) possess numerous suckers which help to secure prey. Many species of squid, octopus and cuttlefish are of major commercial importance (primarily as seafood). Subject categories: Molluscs, Cephalopods See full details

Ram’s Horn Squid or Tail-light Squid

Spirula spirula

Subject categories

Share

Related topics