Humboldt squid behavior

[nwbobber]

With the squid attack photos and reports of close encounters and the apparently expanding range of these creatures, I'm wondering what we as divers should know about their behavior to minimize risk in areas where we may come in contact with them. Being from the Pacific Northwest (I'm taking a trip to Loreto in a couple weeks)I know little about them, and the only film I have seen of them was along the lines of those reef shark feeding frenzy films.
I have never heard of an attack other than these lately and as far as the folks in the Sea of Cortez, it looks like they are intentionally putting themselves in a position where an attack would be most likely.
I'd like to think that these kind of reports are sensationalized and there is really nothing to worry about, but as with any predator, it is good to understand their behavior, so as not to look like dinner, eh?
Any thoughts

 

[gary-ramey]

Most of the footage comes from folks who dive next to local Mexican fisherman who are baiting the water. I actually hauled a couple on board with a fishing pole out of Los Cabos. Its highly doubtful that you'll encounter them under normal cirumstances. If you did, yes it would be advisable to surface and get on the boat. Recreational divers rarely, if ever, encounter them. As far as not looking like dinner, that's a tough one because they're are rather indiscriminant feeders and will sample just about anything they can get their tentacles around. Again, diving anywhere in the Pacific Northwest you have greater worries than Humbolt squids.

 

[nwbobber]

Thanks for the response, Gary. Thats what I thought but the film I saw gave me the willies. I picked up on one of the posts that they may have a kind of defensive behavior when one of them is in distress. Have you heard or noticed anything like that?

 

[seaducer]

Thanks for the response, Gary. Thats what I thought but the film I saw gave me the willies. I picked up on one of the posts that they may have a kind of defensive behavior when one of them is in distress. Have you heard or noticed anything like that?

I have seen a few of the specials on them. One of the videos they were witnessing that the squid being caught were in fact signaling a distress pattern, and the behavior of the other squid changed to being much more agressive, both towards the divers, cameras as well as each other. The more squid in distress, the worse the others behaved. Kind of like people.

OTH encounters with squid who were not being caught, just in their natural hunting parties, and no fishermen around, the squid behaved much differently. Calmer, more cautious, even gentle...

I think if you were to happen upon a Humbolt, as long as you weren't diving under the fishing fleet it would be a great, though short experience...

 

[RonFrank]

Based on what I've seen and read, these squid hang out deep during the day, and come nearer to the surface in the evening to feed.

I don't think I'd want to be in the water with these squid, but I think the chance of an encounter would be very slim.

The diving video footage I've seen is also from the Sea or Cortez, and those diving with them are doing so at night while they are being fished. They have to go to great lengths to dive with these animals.

I've not read or heard of any diver being attacked by Humbolt squid, that was not going out of their way to find them. That does not mean it has never happened.

 

[nwbobber]

Well I'm not going to go out of my way to find them, but hopefully if we do see some it will be enjoyable (albeit short-I think I'll get out of the water). I think it's interesting that they communicate with color flashes. It would be cool to see if they have some form of language. They film I have seen shows them flashing what could be some pretty complicated signals.

 

[houstonrick]

After the night dive in the Sea of
Cortez we had many squid around the boat. Snorkeled with them. They looked like they were attacking but stopped a couple of ft away. Afterward the crew caught about a dozen,(ink all over the deck), and the next day we had cevichi.