Sea Squishies
Lola Remmert
Introduction
Did you know that a giant squid’s eye is the size of a beach ball? The diet, habitat and body structure/appearance are all important to the lifestyle of the squid. Without these things, these magnificent mollusks would cease to exist.
Diet
The proper diet makes the squid as healthy as possible. A squid’s favorite food is fish, but will also eat crab and shrimp. Squids that live in the arctic waters eat plankton and krill. In addition, the giant squid will also eat other squids. I remember the first time I tried squid, or calamari. It was very crunchy because it was fried on the outside. I thought was delicious and I wanted to have more. Suckers on squid’s large arms help them bring the prey towards their mouths. Once the prey is immobilized, squids will use their beak-like mouths to eat it.
Habitat
These sea squishies need the best habitat in order to survive.Squids live in oceans worldwide. While some live near the coastal shores, others, such as the giant squid, live in the deep dark ocean. Squids also prefer to live in cooler water temperatures. You’ll be shocked to learn that squids are one of the only animals that live in the freezing waters of Antarctica. Also, giant squids can see in the dark waters when other animals can’t.
Body Structure/ Appearance
The body structure and appearance is what makes these deep water swimmers unique. The length of a giant squid is 33 feet, just a bit under a school bus that comes in at 37 feet. This squid also weighs 440 lbs, and a piano weighs 500 lbs. The range of length of all squids can be anywhere from 0.75- 780 inches. Plus, squids have smooth, jelly-like skin. Squids will change color to blend in with other objects in case of danger. They will also spray their ink if threatened. Most squids are black, brown, grey, or white. There are over 300 distinctive types of squids. You’ll be amazed to find out that squids have three hearts, each for a different function!
Closing
Imagine this, you’re swimming through the ocean and you see a giant squid, his large eyes staring you right in the face. His diet, habitat and appearance make him unique a different from all the other animals and squids. Surely, squids are astounding creatures that can’t be beat.
Think Tank
Quizzle
Based on what you read, see how much you know about squids in this squid quizzle. Try and see if you can get every question right! If you do, then you are a squid expert.
Comic Strip
Learn an interesting fact in this one of a kind comic strip.
Word Wall
Here are some words to describe none other but the squid!
Acrostic Poem
Sea squishies!
Quiet but fascinating
Universal oceans
Inhabits icy cold waters
Deep dark watersDiorama
My diorama features unique animals that live under the sea. Here are my creatures:
#1 Shrimp
#2 Coral
#3 Clam
#4 Jellyfish
#5 Bottlenose Dolphin
#6 Sea Star
#7 Sea turtle
#8 Squid (my animal)
Go Fish
For the Go Fish workshop, I got two Red Minor Tetra fish, two Green Female Crowntail Bettas, three Dwarf Zebra Lionfish, one Black Moor Goldfish, and two Nassarius snails. I filled the tank to the max amount, which is twenty inches of fish/snails. The money i had to spend on fish was $90.23, and I had $16.73 left over. My theme for the fish tank was ancient Rome ruins. I chose fish to match this theme.
Dwarf Zebra Lionfish
Red Minor Tetra
Green Female Crowntail Betta
Extras
Giant Squid (Architeuthis) footage, January 27, 2013