For hundreds of years people have been intrigued by squids. There are many stories, most of them exaggerated, of giant squid attacking sea-going vessels and even pulling men off land. Old Norwegian legends tell of krakens, monsters so large that, from a distance, they resemble islands. Evidence suggests that krakens were actually giant squids, and the Norwegian word, kraken, is now used to mean both giant squid and sea monster. Although there are giant species of squid, most are small or medium in size, usually less than a metre long.
Squids are abundant in all oceans of the world.
Approximately 40 species are known to live along the west coast of North America. A few live in shallow water close to shore, but most live in the open ocean far from land, often at great depths. The squid's body is generally torpedo-shaped, and has two tail fins at the posterior end. These fins are used as stabilizers when the animal is swimming rapidly, or they beat rhythmically for slower swimming. Like its close relative, the octopus, a squid has eight arms.