scubaseason

Bobtail squid

Euprymna berryi

Sighting evidence at Walking Shark Bay, Halmahera

Tiny, round-bodied cephalopods barely 3 cm long, bobtail squid are nocturnal hunters that bury in the sand by day and emerge at night to pursue amphipods and small shrimp. They maintain a symbiotic bioluminescent bacterium in their light organs that matches the intensity of moonlight hitting the seabed from above, allowing them to eliminate their own shadow and hide from predators below. At Walking Shark Bay, night dives reveal dozens of individuals emerging simultaneously, their eyes glowing amber in torchlight before they disappear in a cloud of ink.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Bobtail squid is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites