The Neon Flying Squid has been observed flying by shooting a high pressure jet of water and gliding through the air using its fins to glide. Despite the squid's name, the mechanism that is uses to fly for for more than 100 feet has been witnessed by scientists.
"There were always witnesses and rumors that said squid were seen flying, but no one had clarified how they actually do it. We have proved that it really is true, Jun Yamamoto of Hokkaido University told AFP.
The squid uses a high pressure stream of water that it shoots from its stem. Once airborne, it then uses its fins and arms for aerodynamic life during its brief three second flight. "As they land back in the water, the fins are all folded back into place to minimize the impact," Yamamoto added.
The reason for the eight-inch squid's flight isn't completely known. Yamamoto belives the flight offers a quick deffensive getaway from predators. But this departure from the water also reveals part of its place in the ecosystem as it exposes the sea creatures to new predators: birds. "This finding means that we should no longer consider squid as things that live only in the water. It is highly possible that they are also a source of food for sea birds," said Yamamoto.
