Adorable ‘piglet squid’ is spotted 1,000 miles south of Hawaii by scientists on a deep sea expedition 4,500 feet below sea level
An adorable piglet squid has been spotted in its natural home deep in the Pacific Ocean by a team of passing researchers.
The inquisitive animal was snapped on camera by the E/V Nautilus team exploring the Palmyra Atoll earlier this month.
They spotted the creature at 4,500ft (1,385m) and paused to enjoy the moment with the small marine animal.
The inquisitive piglet squid (pictured) was snapped on camera by the E/V Nautilus team exploring the Palmyra Atoll earlier this month
Researchers spotted the creature at 4,500ft (1385m) and paused to enjoy the moment with the small marine animal
The see-through piglet squid (Helicocranchia sp.) is named for its large siphon that looks like a snout.
The Nautilus team, from non-profit organisation Ocean Exploration Trust, used an ROV (Remotely operated underwater vehicle) to enjoy the quick close-up with the tiny squid
The experts who found the squid said: ‘Squids, like other cephalopods, move using a structure called a siphon to pull and push the surrounding water like a jet pump’
The researchers explained: ‘[The animals are] able to regulate buoyancy with an ammonia-filled internal chamber, this stunning squid is often observed with its tentacles flared above its head.’
The team elaborated: ‘Squids, like other cephalopods, move using a structure called a siphon to pull and push the surrounding water like a jet pump.
‘This cephalopod, Helicocranchia pfefferi aka the piglet squid, gained its name for the enlarged siphon that resembles a snout.
‘Able to regulate buoyancy with an ammonia-filled internal chamber, this stunning squid is often observed with its tentacles flared above its head like a wild hairdo or as one team member called it – reindeer antlers.’
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