Portfolio > Aqueous Mediums

Vampyroteuthis infernalis (Vampire Squid)
Vampyroteuthis infernalis (Vampire Squid)
Watercolor and gouacheon paper
18"x24"
2013

The vampire squid is a small (30 cm) deep sea cephalopod that can be found at depths of around 600 to 900 meters (2,000 to 3,000 ft) deep. They are able to thrive at oxygen saturations as low as 3%, an ability few organisms are capable of. When threatened it will curl its arms up outwards and curl them over its body in an inside out fashion, displaying thorny spines on its tentacles. While it lacks ink sacs, it can discharge a bioluminescent cloud of mucus to cover its escape. Its body is also covered in bioluminescent photophores allowing it glow in the dark. They have some of the largest eyes (2.5 cm) in proportion to their body in the animal kingdom. Despite their name they are not actually squid, but occupy a unique order which are closely related to squid and octopuses.