Killer squids?

Marine Biology News

Many people have feared the Humboldt squid from times when sailor’s myths describe giant ‘man-eating’ monsters from the deep attacking them at sea. In recent world press there have been reports of SCUBA divers in San Diego being harassed by a large group of these squid – panicked; one diver described her ordeal by stating that she did not think that she would survive as it tried to grab her with its tentacles.

Since this time, squid biologist Brad Seibel from Rhode Island University has commented by saying that such reports serve to do nothing but unnecessarily alarm people, he claims that their man-eating prowess is seriously overblown.

Mexican local tour operators allegedly exaggerate the dangerous nature of these marine animals which adds to this problem. Apparently these operators insist that there customers wear armour and put chum in the water to excite the squid.

We would really love to hear what your views are on these squid? Are they as dangerous as some people claim or are they misunderstood?

Join us on our forum to discuss this latest topic and find out more from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723113516.htm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8155417.stm.

Image by: Hans Hillewaert

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