It's Official: Flying Squid Can Actually Fly (Not Just Jump)
Yay, now let's fill the oceans with concrete and put a stop to this madness.
I wrote about flying squid way back in 2010, but now they're back in the news after marine biologists have confirmed that the squids are actually flying (up to 30m/98-feet!) when they leap out of the water and not just jumping. *waving finger* Mother Nature, did you have something to do with this?! "Tehehehehe." Dammit woman, what did I tell you? "Wear a bra." You're like 4-billion years old, nobody wants to see that.
According to the researchers, the squid is able to accomplish this by shooting a powerful jet of water out from their funnel-like stems. Once they're out of the water, they glide by spreading out their fins and arms. This configuration creates aerodynamic lift, enabling the squid to keep a stable arc on its flight. Consequently, the researchers say the squid is truly flying, and not just jumping. And indeed, the technique allows the squid to remain airborne for as much as three seconds at a time.
Great, so now even the squids are flying. And look at us -- still walking around on two legs like a bunch of losers. "Speak for yourself." What, you can fly now? "No, but I'm not a loser." Why is it every time I try to include you and I in the same group you refuse? "We're mutually exclusive." Wait -- are you telling me you want to see other people?!
Hit the jump for a closeup of one of the little flyers and a diagram explaining how the squids do it.
Thanks to Catherine, who agrees as soon as whales start flying, well, it's time to lasso one and ride it to the moon.
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