Why Do Squid Shoot Ink?

Squid are some of the largest and fastest sea creatures and can be found in waters all over the globe. They can grow up to a body length of 24 meters, with the eyes measuring around 10 inches in diameter. Most squid, however, are much smaller.

  1. What is Known

    • Squid ink is a black pigmented fluid that is released when squid feel they are in danger. The ink forms a dark cloud in the water around the squid. It can be used either to mask the squid, giving it a chance to flee before being eaten, or to confuse the predator by forcing it to attack the blob of ink.

    Questions Arise

    • Much is not known about squid, as they tend to stay out of the way of people. Squid shoot ink to confuse prey, but the question remains of why deep-sea squid still shoot their ink in dark waters, where ink cannot be see, notes ocean researcher Stephanie Bush on the California Museum of Paleontology website.

    Ink-eresting Facts

    • Squid ink was used over a century ago in quill pens. Women used to lick the pens to moisten them and eventually realized they were starting to feel a bit different. Nowadays, sepia, which is found in squid ink, relieves certain symptoms in women, such as loss of sex drive, cramps and hot flashes, according to authors Robert W. Ullman and Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman in their book "The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine."