:: Octopus and Squid - A Selection of the Best
The abyss is home to hundreds of species of deep-sea cephalopod. These include the bizarre cranchiid squid (the glass squid), the legendary giant squid (Architeuthis dux), the colossal squid (Mesonyhoteuthis hamiltoni) and the dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis).

The photos below are a select few from our Octopus and Squid gallery - to view the complete collection please visit the Octopus and Squid Gallery

	Deep-sea glass squid (Teuthowenia pellucida) The glass squid, Teuthowenia pellucida, an ecologically important Southern Hemisphere deep-sea squid. This species has light organs on its eyes and possesses the ability to roll into a ball, like an aquatic hedgehog. It is prey of many deep-sea fish (eg goblin sharks) as well as whales and oceanic seabirds. enlarge image
	Dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) The dumbo octopus, Grimpoteuthis swims slowly above the seafloor, descending to the bottom to feed. enlarge image
	Broad squid, southern reef squid, calama (Sepioteuthis australis) The broad squid, Sepioteuthis australis, is found in waters around southern Australia and northern New Zealand. It has many alternative names: southern reef squid, calamari squid and southern calamari. enlarge image
	Hydrothermal vent octopus (Vulcanoctopus hydrothermalis) Head and shoulders of an alien? No, this is the body of the hydrothermal vent octopus Vulcanoctopus. This remarkable species lives near black smokers, where it preys upon the many small crustaceans that thrive there. enlarge image
	Deep-sea glass squid (Teuthowenia pellucida) The glass squid, Teuthowenia pellucida, an ecologically important Southern Hemisphere deep-sea squid. This species has light organs on its eyes and possesses the ability to roll into a ball, like an aquatic hedgehog. It is prey of many deep-sea fish (eg goblin sharks) as well as whales and oceanic seabirds. enlarge image
	Pacific Bobtail squid (Sepioloidea pacifica) A bobtail squid photographed in the split second between subsequent mantle contractions (jetting). enlarge image
	finned octopus beak (Octopoteuthis) The sharp beak of the large deep-sea squid Octopoteuthis. Not unlike that of a parrot, it is used to slice prey into bite-sized chunks. enlarge image
	Midget Octopus (Octopus huttoni) The midget octopus, Octopus huttoni, is common on the shelf and upper continental slope around New Zealand. It has a very painful bite and has a reputation for being quite aggressive for its size. enlarge image
	Dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) The dumbo octopus, Grimpoteuthis swims slowly above the seafloor, descending to the bottom to feed. enlarge image