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Plunging into the ocean world with a deep-sea camera, filmmaker and biologist Mike deGruy brings you face to face with some of the most INCREDIBLE SUCKERS of the ocean: the cephalopoda, or "head-foot." Octopi, squid, cuttlefish, and other denizens of the deep are shown in
their natural habitats, some for the first time ever.
Unlike many other marine species, from bony fish to spiny corals, cephalopods, including squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, have few solid parts. But these invertebrates are far from "spineless" (in the sense of being afraid), as you can see from their aggressive and cunning behaviors on the show.
Small squid cleverly disappear into the background and stand their ground as unwitting barracuda pass by, octopi attack their prey from many angles, and the deep sea "vampire squid from hell" displays intimidating rows of spikes on its underside.
While they have a catalog of defensive maneuvers, cephalopods also use their limber bodies to communicate. Dr. John Forsythe, one of the marine biologists featured on the program, points out that cephalopod species can recognize humans much the same way a household pet will identify its owner. Whether or not these behaviors are present in the largest of cephalopods, the giant squid, is yet to be determined.
Little is known about these enormous squid, which cruise at ocean depths greater than one mile. Researchers rely on carcasses found in the stomachs of sperm whales, or washed up on the shore, for the slightest tidbits of information about their diets and habits. Since INCREDIBLE SUCKERS was produced, scientists have embarked on expeditions in
search of giant squid, but so far no one has looked one straight in its volleyball-sized eyeball -- the largest eye in the animal world.
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Cunning Creatures
All about cephalopods. |
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Myths of the Deep
Tall tales from the deep sea. |
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Still Searching
Join the search for the fabled giant squid. |
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Resources
Dive into squid-related Web sites and articles. |
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