Scientists have shared adorable videos of squid embryos wriggling around in their egg sacks as well as a juvenile burying itself in the sand.
The Hummingbird bobtail squid (Euprymna berryi) were filmed at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
These teeny animals – which grow to just two inches long (5cm) – are found in the Indo-Pacific and spend their days hiding under the sand. At night, they emerge to look for food and try to find a mate.
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As well as being utterly charming, these little creatures help researchers uncover more of the fascinating secrets of cephalopods.
“These squid have been particularly useful for scientists studying various aspects of their development and physiology,” says Nipam Patel, director at the Marine Biological Laboratory, who shared the video. They have even used CRISPR-based genome editing to create an albino squid, which might lead to breakthroughs in studying their complex nervous system.
In the video, the camera zooms in on the little squid eggs, revealing the tiny embryos inside in impeccable detail. You can even see the teensy animals moving around inside.
At the end of a clip, a juvenile with a patchwork of brown dots across its body settles into its hiding place in the sediment, flinging pieces over its head as it tucks itself in.
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Image and video credit: Nipam Patel. BioQuest Studies. Filmed at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA
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