Jumbo Squid Wash Ashore After Earthquake
Dozens of large creatures called jumbo Humboldt squid washed up on La Jolla Shores beach in Southern California Saturday after a 4.0 earthquake, centered offshore, shook homes in the area.
Residents tried to toss them back into the water before seagulls pecked away, according to a local news report.
There has been no connection made between the quake and the beaching of squid, which were up to 4 feet long, so for now the whole thing’s a mystery.
During the day, the somewhat mysterious jumbo squid are known to descend to lower depths in the ocean to rest, slowing down their metabolism to deal with the lower oxygen levels there. At night, they return to well-oxygenated waters nearer the surface to feed. The beasts can grow to 7 feet long.
