Unknown monsters of the deep oceans have fueled our fanciful imaginations with dread and fear. Stories of the giant squid abound but another creature of the depths caught my attention. That is the fifth largest known squid, Taningia danae or the Dana Octopus Squid, it bamboozles with bright light to disorient and hunt its prey.
It emits short flashes from light-producing organs, called photophores, on their fin arms. The illumination in dark waters is doubly beneficial: to measure the distance of the prey as well as hunt it. They are able to alter their direction rapidly by bending their flexible bodies. Studies by the Japanese scientists, indicate that light bursts also serve another purpose that of courtship.
T. danae is thought to be abundant in the tropical and subtropical oceans of the world. The largest reported measured 2.3m (7.5ft) in length and weighed nearly 61.4kg (134.5lbs). Who knows, further studies might help us to develop animals that produce electricity in this energy conscience world.
Source: BBC
