Behold Vampyroteuthis infernalis, a squid that lives at ocean depths of 600 m to 1200 m, where the waters are so dark that the squid’s colour-based defences, the chromatophores and ink sac, are atrophied possibly to the point of being completely vestigial, and the only chromatophores that work normally are those associated with bioluminescence. Instead of squirting ink, its arms can release clouds of glowing particles to confuse predators. Its flesh is gelatinous like a jellyfish. Two of its arms have evolved to become long filamentous sensory organs — at least, that’s what biologists suspect — and it is the only cephalopod to have fins. V. infernalis is the only species in its genus.

In short, this squid is weird and unique, is well adapted to the dark, and its name translates from the Latin as “vampire squid from hell.” We expect our marketing people to have the prototype stuffed toys any day now.