biomedicalephemera:

Loligo gigas [now Dosidas gigas] - Humboldt Squid/Jumbo Squid
The Humboldt squid is among the largest of the squid, despite their lifespan of just under one year. Other giant squids have a lifespan estimated to be around five years at a minimum, and don&rsquo;t reach their maximum size until near the end of their life. One of the major sources of food for Humboldt squid is other Humboldt squids, which is believed to contribute significantly to their fast growth.
All of the suckers of the Humboldt are ringed with sharp, flesh-tearing teeth, and when squid are feeding, they&rsquo;ve been known to be very aggressive towards scuba divers. Outside of feeding time (generally dusk to dawn), the squid are generally non-aggressive creatures.
Like many squid, the Humboldt has chromatophores in its skin, allowing for rapid color changes. When they feed or are in distress (such as when they&rsquo;re caught by fishers), they flash bright red. This led to one of their first colloquial names - El diablo rojo - the Red Devil.
Voyage dans l&rsquo;Amerique Meridionale: Tome Neuvieme. Alcide d&rsquo;Orbigny, 1847.
