A squid is found at Bat Galim beach in Haifa
It's a mystery: every year at exactly this time, squids of various species are washed up on the beaches of Haifa, as well as on other beaches in Israel. I am not aware of any research that explains why this happens in the garden, but it is a well-known fact that in the days of the end of the autumn season and the beginning of winter, we encounter squids doing the hafa in Israel.
The squid found at Bat Galim beach in Haifa (Monday 29/11/21) | watch
May be biting
The average length of the squids is usually about 30 cm, but there are also individuals that can reach a length of up to thirty meters and a weight of several kilograms. Many who encounter them on the beach describe them as creatures with a monstrous appearance, even though they are all squid. It is true that squids of this size can bite hard when they feel threatened.
Keep your distance
From my many dives with these creatures in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, some of them can indeed be quite aggressive when you get too close to them, although they will usually keep a constant distance between themselves and anyone who dives or swims near them.
A squid washed ashore - the chromatophores are still active watch
Sometimes they are just a meal...
Yesterday morning (Monday 29/11/21) such a squid was ejected onto the open Bat Galim beach, when it is in the last stages of dying, like the other squids encountered on the beach, with only their color cells (chromatophores) still active. I asked to receive it or purchase it from the same person who found it, so that I could perform an autopsy and a thorough examination of it in the laboratory, but unfortunately I was refused, since this squid was intended for a hearty meal (and unkosher, it must be said)
A gluttonous squid
Of course, when I don't have the squid in my hands, it is difficult to determine its species precisely. To my delight, they agreed to give me the contents of his stomach and intestines, and after I opened them and examined them, it turned out that it was a female, one should say especially gluttonous, although this trait is quite typical for squids.
what did you eat lady
The squid's stomach contained a very large amount of fish bones, vertebrae and various fish scales, from the size of which it can be concluded that the largest fish eaten by the squid probably weighed over a kilogram. I also found parts of gills and fragments of gill covers in the stomach, a well-known and well-known phenomenon regarding squids .
Why squid?
The squid's name is derived from the fact that when it senses danger, it emits black ink that causes a mask around it, which helps it escape. His huge eyes are complex and sophisticated and adapted to see at night or during the day and at great depth.
Squid or octopus?
Compared to the octopus, which has eight arms, squids have ten arms, two of which are very long and are intended for catching prey.
Compression force from the strongest in nature
It is important to know that squids that are in a state of displacement, even if they are on the beach, you should not "mess with" them, because the squid's jaws, which can be said to be like the beak of a parrot, are driven by an annular muscle, and have one of the strongest compressive forces in nature, so that very It is recommended not to take a risk and get bitten.
More and more teeth
We should also note that inside each attachment button on the squid's arms, there are teeth as well, with which the squid clings to the victim, this is in addition to the fact that these buttons create a vacuum.
The Red Devils of Mexico
We have to be grateful for the fact that squids from the Sea of Cortez, known as the "red devils", are up to 2 meters in size and are known in Mexico as human predators, in addition to being cannibals that eat their own kind.
signs of struggle
On the body of the squid in front of us there are signs of a struggle, most likely as a result of a struggle between its own species, since it is known that squids move in groups.
And if you see a squid...
It is likely that more squids will appear on our shores in the near future, and if you happen to come across a squid, you are very welcome to report it to the live system here or call me directly, and I will thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy and bright Hanukkah!
Hello Lahav.
The cases you describe exist as far as I know only in the Sea of Cortez, but there is the Humboldt known for its aggression. And it is about two meters in size.
These discussions terrorize the fishermen of Mexico, and when they hold you there is no chance of getting out of his arms, according to the testimonies of the Cortez fishermen with whom I spoke.
But there is none in Israel or the Mediterranean..
Thanks for the question.
Very interesting
I didn't know the squid could hurt...
If a person is unlucky and the arms of a squid stick to their flesh in the sea, is there a recommended way to get rid of it?
Thank you very much for another interesting article.
Hi Momo.
Don't know about sepia vulgaris,
Wow, what an amazing article. Well done to you legendary Muti Mendelssohn. Many thanks for enriching our knowledge every time.
I heard you were attacked by seals recently. I wish you good health and take care of yourself
All squid species are cannibals.
As always Muti - you are super interesting
Their white elliptical skeleton can sometimes be found on the beach
Good evening Shlomit
If I arrive first, I don't take the animal. But they reach the beach, without any chance.
Female squids, dead after spawning, and ventilating the spawn.
For general knowledge...invading creatures do not leave the sea, it sounds bad but invaders change the local balance.
I really enjoyed watching and reading! Thank you!!!
Question: Why not try to return her to the sea if she is dying?
Hi Asaf.
I don't know who thinks it's the red devil.
But you never know what will happen in the future. We also have a poisonous fish that came from the Black Sea.
Thank you, very interesting information.
In the Mediterranean Sea there are 4 species that can be ejected, and they are not the Red Demon (not the Humboldt*) as is commonly thought.
and they are
1. Illex coindetii – broadtail shortfin squid
2. Todarodes sagittatus – The European flying squid
3. Todaropsis eblanae – lesser flying squid
4. Ommastrephes bartramii – The neon flying squid
I bet it's the last or the 2nd
Assaf Levin
Really interesting
Thanks Muti