Calamari SA Style

Dear Reader

There is a flash of light in the dark waters surrounding me. I point the camera and fire off a few frames hoping for the best. The squid (Southern Calamari) have been accumulating beneath the Second Valley Jetty, attracted by fluorescent lures cast by fishers. They seem indifferent to my presence.

The next morning I venture into deeper waters and catch sight of a group of squid gliding through the ocean. Nice image.

And later that day I drive through to Normanville and enjoy ‘Salt and Pepper Squid’ a South Aussie favourite.

Yes! The humble squid, is an icon of Southern Australia’s marine culture be it a fascinating animal to study, an angler’s quarry or a fine meal.

Southern Calamari Squid (Sepioteuthis australis)

 Size: Length of body (mantle) up to 40 cm.

• Lives around reefs and over seagrass meadows
• Often hunts fish and crustaceans at night
• Uses speed, eyesight, and two extra long tentacles to capture prey
• Females attach cylindrical bunches of eggs to algae and seagrass
• Pumps water though a central outlet to provide jet propulsion
• Releases ink when threatened as a decoy

In my next blog we will explore some of the squid’s close relatives; cuttlefish and octopus. 

Cheers

Baz

Notes:

Over the next few months I will be writing a book about the wildlife of the Fleurieu Peninsula. My posts will reflect the research I am doing and provide more detailed information about each animal that I encounter.

Tags: Australian wildlife, biology, cephalopod, coastal life, Fleurieu peninsula, marine life, mollusc, sea life, South Australian tourism, squid, Underwater, wildlife photography