Invasive Jumbo Squid like to live in warm water

[ck4829]

Jumbo squid that can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh more than 110 pounds are invading central California waters and preying on local anchovy, hake and other commercial fish populations, according to a study published Tuesday.

An aggressive predator, the Humboldt squid — or Dosidicus gigas — can change its eating habits to consume the food supply favored by tuna and sharks, its closest competitors, according to an article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.

"Having a new, voracious predator set up shop here in California may be yet another thing for fishermen to compete with," said the study's co-author, Stanford University researcher Louis Zeidberg. "That said, if a squid saw a human they would jet the other way."

The jumbo squid used to be found only in the Pacific Ocean's warmest stretches near the equator. In the last 16 years, it has expanded its territory throughout California waters, and squid have even been found in the icy waters off Alaska, Zeidberg said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070725/ap_on_fe_st/jumbo_squid_invasion

It seems as though our little cephalapod friends like warm water, and if they're being found off of Alaska, then it must be pretty warm.

Still want to deny that Global Warming is real, eh RW'ers?

[mr_hat]

1. I shower. I ain't worried.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

2. humboldt squids are just heralds

for the newest (ancient, eldritch) candidate to join the prez race:

[supernova]

3. Ought to bring more whales

since certain whales like to feed on humbolt squid.

[NV Whino]

4. MMMM....

more calimari!