Why do squid shoot out ink?
Squid can eject ink when they are threatened to create a pseudomorph, or “false body” in the water. This distracts predators and allows the squid time to escape. Why are so many squid red? Many deep-sea species use red pigmentation for camouflage. Red light waves from the sun cannot penetrate deep water, so a red color makes squid almost invisible. Two examples are Mastigoteuthis, which is maroon, and the giant squid, which is brick red. How do squid use light organs for camouflage? Some deep sea squid are transparent so that they are invisible. However, some organs, such as eyes and digestive glands, in their bodies are opaque. Light organs around these darker areas help blend the squids silhouette into its surroundings when viewed from below. Abralia has light organs around its large, pigmented eyes and Lycoteuthis has light organs near every organ in its body.
