Humboldt Squid

Photograph by Brian J. Skerry

Its sharp eyes trained on potential prey, a Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) patrols the waters of Mexico's Gulf of California. At their largest, jumbo, or Humboldt, squid can reach six feet (two meters) long and weigh more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Scientists estimate that more than ten million squid live in a 25-square-mile (65-square-kilometer) area in the Gulf of California.