The squid. Part 2

By Noreen Byrne

As the long rubbery tentacles of the giant squid actually resemble huge snakes, and as one giant squid is capable of sinking a large boat, it is very easy to see how the stories started. Some of them are over sixty feet long and weigh several hundred kilos.  They live deep in the ocean and are seldom seen near the top. Even the smaller squid are interesting fish. There are about three hundred and fifty species or kinds. They come in different sizes; some full grown ones are only eight centimeters long. Most of the common squid are less one metre long

The most common variety is seen in the open seas and these are seen quite frequently. The squid is a fast agile swimmer and it flashes around like a little shiny bright rocket, powered by its own special kind of jet propulsion. It sucks sea water in and then forces it out through a tunnel causing it to swim at great speed. The squid has ten, what seems like, “arms” attached to the front of its head. These are extremely flexible.  From the back of its head is a long shaped body, formed somewhat like a torpedo giving it an elegant stream-lined shape for high-speed swimming. At the tip it has two small fins that help with balance and steering. These fins also help the fish to swim slowly. It seems quite strange really, for when it is really in a hurry, it seems to be going backwards with its arms trailing out from behind. Two of the common squid´s rubbery arms are longer than the other eight.