They have the largest eyes of any animal about the size of a volleyball. They live in the deeper parts of oceans. They eat fish and smaller squid. Scientists think their only predators are sperm whales, which sometimes are left with large circular marks from the squid's tentacle suckers. Squid beaks, which are hornlike and resemble a parrot's beak, have been found in the stomachs of some whales.
Giant squid are mollusks with long, torpedo-shaped bodies and no backbone.
Like their smaller relatives, they propel themselves by forcing a jet of water out of their bodies. When in danger, they squirt a cloud of inky liquid to mask their escape. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the expressed written consent of the Lexington Herald-Leader is prohibited.