The male sex arm is fourth from the left with little finger projections at the tip. During mating season, squid congregate at the surface of the sea. Males take a small package of sperm on the sex arm and fit it under the mantle of a female, next to her eggs. The squid that we dissect were caught at the surface of the water during the mating season so that eggs and sperm are very prominent. Their predators are penguins, other squid, eels, toothed whales, seals, jellyfish, fish, and humans.
Giant squid live very deep in the ocean and are eaten by sperm whales.
For defense, they can squirt out a cloud of ink, change color to match their surroundings, make a jet propelled escape, maneuvre quickly, bite with their beak or fly through the air. Look at general diagram of squid. Identify and list the things the students will look for on their squid. Cover the desks or tables with newspaper and hand out trays and squid. Let the children explore to find what we listed and anything else they might discover.