Vampire squids drift through the pitch-black depths of the ocean's oxygen minimum zone, draped in a dark, webbing-connected cloak of arms. When threatened, they pull this webbed cloak over their bodies in a defensive pineapple posture that exposes soft, fleshy spines. They navigate their low-oxygen world by deploying two long, sticky filaments to collect falling organic debris, making them the only cephalopods that do not hunt live prey.
Deep-seaBioluminescentDetritivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
Marine snow
Larvacean houses
Crustacean remains
Predators
Deep-diving cetaceans
Large deep-sea fish
Giant grenadiers
ThreatsOcean acidification, warming waters, and deep-sea mining
HabitatsBathypelagic zone of temperate and tropical oceans
Life spanEstimated 3 to 8 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
FamilyVampyroteuthidae
SpeciesVampyroteuthis infernalis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Harmless deep-sea dweller that poses no risk to humans.
Responsible observation
Deep-sea Exploration: Observe these creatures through high-definition cameras mounted on remotely operated vehicles.
Bioluminescent Displays: Watch for the glowing photophores at the tips of their arms, used to confuse predators.
