An ROV meets an Enemy of Squid, and the monster just takes its time, casually cruising around the cameras, showing off. Probably before going off to murder more cephalopods.
Apparently it’s a plain, boring old shoal of squid, though there was a petition a few months back to change it to ‘squad.’ Language is usage-based though; so pick a noun and make it popular enough, and it’ll eventually be recognised by the dictionaries.
Crimson Clupeidaesays
Anyone else get the impression the whale was trying to figure out if the whole camera apparatus was edible? :)
hoku says
That must be so weird for the whale, seeing lights at that depth.
EwgB says
Wow, that’s awesome (in the original sense)! I also love it how all the scientists (I think) totally flip out over this (totally justified AFAIAC).
Daz: Uffish, yet slightly frabjous says
Absolutely amazing.
Rob Grigjanis says
It’s not murder. It’s justifiable Teuthidoktonia.
microraptor says
@hoku- Not really- there are plenty of bioluminecent organisms down there, after all.
kome says
For a brief moment, when I read “Enemy of Squid” my first thought was “Oh, PZ came up with a cutesy collective noun for a group of squid.”
Al Dente says
Goodness. Gracious even.
azpaul3 says
Cool. Congratulations, Nautilus!
Nick Gotts says
Wonderful.
madtom1999 says
If cephalopods dont want to be eaten they shouldn’t marinate themselves.
Artor says
The nerdgasms were fun to hear. “Oh WOW!”
frog says
kome@6: That’s how I read it, too!
Is there an official term for a collective group of squid? If not, I think “an enemy of squid” has a sweetly ironic touch.
Daz: Uffish, yet slightly frabjous says
Apparently it’s a plain, boring old shoal of squid, though there was a petition a few months back to change it to ‘squad.’ Language is usage-based though; so pick a noun and make it popular enough, and it’ll eventually be recognised by the dictionaries.
Crimson Clupeidae says
Anyone else get the impression the whale was trying to figure out if the whole camera apparatus was edible? :)