European squid

Loligo vulgaris

Scientific name

Loligo vulgaris

Group

Cephalopods

Rarity

Rare

Where to see it

Mediterranean, Temperate Atlantic / English Channel

Conservation status (IUCN)

Data deficient

Did you know?

The European squid propels itself with jets of water, reaching high speeds to escape predators, and can release a cloud of ink to cover its escape. Its life is short — usually under two years — and ends shortly after reproducing.

What defines this group — Cephalopods

Octopuses, cuttlefish, squid and nautiluses: molluscs that became the most intelligent invertebrates.

• Eight arms — ten in cuttlefish and squid — set around a horny beak.
• Skin cells called chromatophores change colour and texture in a fraction of a second.
• Three hearts, and blue blood that carries oxygen with copper rather than iron.

Other species in this group

• Common octopus
• Common cuttlefish
• Reef octopus
• Bigfin reef squid
• Blue-ringed octopus
• Flamboyant cuttlefish