Strange Looking Squid...!

Once again, Mother Nature gives us a look at one of her strange but beautiful creatures.

The depths of the oceans contain some really astonishing creatures that we very seldom get to see. Because of the depths where so many of these beauties live, even pictures of most of them are few and far between.

Purple Googly-Eyed Squid

Photo credit: Sydney Morning Herald

Scientists aboard the undersea exploration vessel Nautilus in the Pacific were recently treated to a sight rarely looked upon by humans—Rossia pacifica, a type of bobtail squid that typically sticks close to the ocean floor. As you can see, they had no trouble spotting it, as it looks like a living, swimming plush animal.

The squid have been recorded dwelling as deep as 1,300 meters (4,000 ft) below the ocean’s surface, where intense cold and pressure can cause native lifeforms to take on strange and alien appearances. The Nautilus researchers were forced to consult several different institutions, including the University of California Santa Barbara, to identify the cute little guy. On the rare occasions when they are spotted, these squid tend to freeze up, as they are used to extremely dark environments, resulting in picture-perfect poses like the one above.

It really does look like some kind of plush toy you might find in a child's collection, doesn't it? Strange little critter, for sure. I took this article from Listverse again.

Coffee outside this morning, OK?