There's a flying squid? Yes some squid really can fly - Here's how and why
www.discoverwildlife.com
Can squid really fly? Yes, says David Brian Butvill, there are a few squid species that can get airborne... Here's how and why

I knew there’s a flying squid that likes to post memes though

If a squid swimming near the surface is spooked by a predator or a boat, it streamlines into a torpedo shape and fires itself out of the water. At the same time, it splays its eight tentacles into a flat, fan-like pattern in front of its face – some breeds even exude mucus to fill in the spaces, creating a unified, kite-like surface. It also flares a pair of fins near its rear end and – voilà – the squid becomes a living, breathing jet.

    • Flying SquidEnglish
      11•6 months ago

      Yes indeed! See my response to Viking_Hippie about getting my username. It is due to this awesome fact.

    • Flying SquidEnglish
      31•6 months ago

      I did know! One day many years ago (we’re talking 1990s here), I was talking to people on IRC and I said, “you know what would be awesome? If squid could fly.”

      And then I looked just for the hell of it and it turns out they can. I’ve been FlyingSquid ever since.

      I still think that’s one of the coolest things in nature.

      • IninewCrowEnglish
        8•6 months ago

        I think you’re one of the coolest people in the fediverse … keep flying you crazy squid

      • @happysplinter@lemmy.worldEnglish
        5•6 months ago

        This is an amazing origin story! Loved that you drop IRC. Paints a good picture of how long you’ve had the handle.

        • Flying SquidEnglish
          2•6 months ago

          I’m old and I’ve been on the internet since the pre-web days. First time I used the internet was when a friend showed me how to use a MUD in the local university computer labs, but I was still a high school freshman, so that would have been 1991-1992, somewhere in there. I remember thinking that this new web thing I saw would never be as good as Gopher. Oops.

  • @Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.worldEnglish
    9•6 months ago

    When the day gets late the Squid dons its little propellers and crosses the heavens squirting the night sky until the cuttlefish of day chases it forever westward.

    • kamenLady.OPEnglish
      2•6 months ago

      Way back, i spent 1 day in my life really believing they do exist, until digging deeper exposed me to the sad truth.