07/17/2009
Aggressive Jumbo Squid 'Roughing Up' Divers Off San Diego
The jumbo squid I mentioned last week whose populations have been aggravated (by earthquake, or not) in waters off San Diego, are intriguing divers:
"The so-called Humboldt squid, which can grow up to 100 pounds, are native to the deep waters off Mexico, where they have been known to attack humans and are nicknamed 'red devils' for their rust-red coloring and mean streak. Those who dive with them there chum the water with bait and sometimes get in a metal cage or wear chain mail to avoid being lashed by tentacles."
The squid are also aggressive: "Roger Uzun, a veteran scuba diver and amateur underwater videographer, swam with a swarm of the creatures for about 20 minutes and said they appeared more curious than aggressive. The animals taste with their tentacles, he said, and seemed to be touching him and his wet suit to determine if he was edible. 'As soon as we went underwater and turned on the video lights, there they were. They would ram into you, they kept hitting the back of my head,' he said."
Video of the squid in action, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 11:50 AM EST by Andy Towle in California, Nature, News, San Diego | Permalink
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Damn. That Roger Uzun guy is major hot. I would love to swallow his squid.
Posted by: Ray | Jul 17, 2009 12:19:45 PM
Calamari anyone?
Posted by: rod | Jul 17, 2009 12:28:51 PM
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm ready for an entire window case of sushi now...
Posted by: Jerry | Jul 17, 2009 12:30:08 PM
MMM, Calamari steak....
Posted by: mcquaidLA | Jul 17, 2009 1:42:08 PM
Yeah I was thinking the same thing too Jerry. Grilled eel was floating around in my mind too.
Posted by: Eric | Jul 18, 2009 11:19:21 PM