Photo of the Day 289

Jumbo Squid, Atlantic Ocean, 2004

Photograph by Brian J. Skerry

With an angry eye and a cloud of ink, a jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) flees from a diver. If camouflage fails, squid use ink as a backup defense. Mexican fishermen call the aggressive creatures "diablos rojos"—red devils. They often spew water from their funnels when hauled aboard.

(Text adapted from and photo shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Beautiful and Beastly Squid," August 2004, National Geographic magazine)