The vampire squid has survived since prehistoric times due to its ability to thrive in extreme ocean depths where oxygen levels are very low. It has a low metabolism and weak musculature that allow it to go long periods without food in its low-oxygen environment. It can also generate bioluminescent light to distract predators and has large, sensitive eyes adapted to the darkness of its deep-sea habitat. As the only surviving member of its taxonomic order, the vampire squid offers insights into the evolution of cephalopods.

1. The Vampire Squid Jordan Masluk Melinda Souvannara Period 5 Vampyroteuthis infernalis

2. Hypothesis How has the Vampire Squid been able to survive since prehistoric years?

4. Shares similarities with both squids and octopuses

5. Only known surviving member of its order

7. 15 cm (6 inch) gelatinous body

8. Varies in color between velvety jet black to pale reddish

9. Eight arms

10. Lined with rows of fleshy spines

11. Inside of it’s “cloak” is black

12. Red or blue eyes

13. Ear-like fins projecting from lateral sides

14. serve as primary means of movement- propulsion

15. fly” though water by flapping fins

17. In the OMZ the saturation is too low to support metabolism in most higher organisms

18. However, the Vampire Squid can live and breathe normally in this zone at oxygen saturations as low as 3%

19. Live where humans cannot go without a submarine

20. Covers itself in its “cloak” when agitated to blend in with surrounds and become almost invisible

21. In order to survive such suffocation depths

22. Has a very low metabolic rate

23. Can go for long periods without food

25. Have blue blood hemocyanin binds that transport oxygen throughout body more efficiently

26. Have weak musculature

27. Maintain agililty and buoyancy by statocysts and ammonium rich tissues that match density of surrounding seawater

28. Have highly sensitive eyes that are able to distinguish silhouettes of other animals moving above

29. Generates its own bluish light (bioluminescence)

30. Can last about 10 minutes

31. Used to distract predator while the squid disappears in the darkness

32. Pair of photoreceptors located on top of its head

33. alerting the animal to movements above

35. They swim around in circles trying to catch prey

36. Did you know vampire squid are not squid nor octopus, they belong to a family with themselves-Vampymorpha

37. It has the largest eyes of any animal on the earth

39. Its Latin name translates as "vampire squid from hell"Video http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/is-it-possible-vampire-squid.html