@mbari_news: We love you, vampy ♥️⁠ ⁠ Despite the name, the vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) is neither a vampire nor a squid, but the last surviving member of an ancient group of cephalopods. They thrive in the oxygen minimum zone, where oxygen levels are only a fraction of those near the surface.⁠ ⁠ Instead of hunting down prey, Vampyroteuthis feeds on marine snow—a flurry of dead plankton, poop, mucus, and other organic material sinking from the waters above. Two long, thin, sticky filaments collect bits of “snow.” Their passive feeding strategy requires very little energy, making it ideal for life in low-oxygen environments where vampire squid thrive.⁠ ⁠ Relatively few predators can hunt in the oxygen minimum zone, but the vampire squid does not take any chances. That dark, reddish-brown color keeps Vampyroteuthis camouflaged in twilight waters where red light cannot reach. When threatened, vampire squid turn their cloak of webbed arms inside out, changing their appearance to confuse predators. ⁠ ⁠ With the help of deep-diving robots, MBARI scientists are answering fundamental questions about how this living fossil feeds, moves, and survives. Our work is also revealing the complex web of connections between the surface and the deep sea.⁠ ⁠ Check out the full video on our YouTube channel. #MBARI #DeepSea #DeepOcean #AnimalsOfTheDeep

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Monday 06 April 2026 23:46:13 GMT