Thousands upon thousands of giant squid have invaded the virginal coastal waters of San Diego. Giant squid are not completely unknown in the region, but they typically are not found in such high numbers.

Divers are avoiding the Humboldt squid, staying out of the water, hurting the local economy. Stories of tentacles reaching up out of dark waters have kept families on the shore this summer.

Experienced Mexican fishermen call the giant squid “el diablo rojo” – the red devil – and they’ve learned how to fish where the devil doesn’t roam. Humboldt squid like to hunt in packs – over a thousand pinchers, eight thousand tentacles splashing in the water – doesn’t sound like a pretty picture to me.

Time for some creepy giant squid facts!

- They grow at a shocking rate: 7 feet and 100 pounds in one year.
- They can swim at a rate of 15 miles per hour.
- They are cannibals: they’ll eat other injured giant squid or other, little squidlings.
- The current invasion is rumored to be related to a recent underwater earthquake.

So, if you’re thinking about going to California, rent a boat and try your luck at catching a giant Humboldt squid – like the kid did in the giant squid YouTube video on the left! I’d keep out of the water, though…


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