Species · GBIF taxon 2290374
European Squid
Loligo vulgarisAlso known as Common Squid, Inshore Squid, Calamary
European squid are highly active predators that navigate coastal waters in coordinated shoals, using rapid color changes and body postures to communicate with one another. They migrate seasonally to shallower waters to spawn, attaching gelatinous egg finger clusters to rocks, shells, and seabed debris. Their streamlined bodies and powerful siphon jet propulsion make them exceptionally agile hunters of small fish and crustaceans.
MarineNocturnalCamouflage
Licensed referenceHans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Carnivorous, feeding on small fish, crabs, shrimp, and other cephalopods
- family
- Loliginidae
- threats
- Commercial overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change affecting water temperatures
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years
LC
Possesses a sharp beak capable of delivering a painful bite if handled.
Equipped with a hard, parrot-like chitinous beak that can inflict a painful bite if the animal is handled or cornered.
Do not attempt to handle live squid; observe them from a safe distance while diving or snorkeling.- Night Diving: Look for them during night dives when they are attracted to underwater lights.
- Observe Color Changes: Watch quietly to see their skin shift from translucent white to deep red-brown.
- Keep Distance: Avoid cornering or grabbing them to prevent defensive ink release or beak bites.