photo via: diverosa
photo: Nick Hobgood
- photo: Ben Naden
Habitat: from Thailand and Japan to northern Australia
Status: No conservation concerns
Squee! This little squid is the epitome of why I love cephalopods. I mean, just look at it! This tiny orange blob is a Tropical Bobtail Squid (Sepiadarium kochi) which only grows up to 3 cm in length (not including the tentacles, which doesn’t exactly increase its size by any means…).
To conceal itself from any danger, this little guy will change color to match its surroundings and then hurriedly bury itself in soft sand. First it stuffs its body under and then uses its tentacles to push extra sand on top of its exposed eyes (or sometimes it’ll just let them poke out to keep watch). Take a look at this side view of one going down mon:
and then there’s this video clip which really shows you just how small these tropical bobtail squids really are. Take note of those itty-bitty tentacles pushing sand on top of its head!!! ADORABLE!
I want one. I would name it “lil squid dude,” because I’m original like that.
