Photographer Steven Kovacs Captures Rare Marine Life Off The Coast Of Florida (2021). © BluePlanetArchive/Steven

Shoutout to deep sea cephalopods

gotta be one of my favorite genders

Rays rays rays

Lookf at these buges…

I think everyone needs to see them

Ok y’all brace yourselves cuz I just learned about a new animal

Yes, that is an animal. Yes, scientists refer to it as the purple sock worm. No, that’s not it’s real name, silly, it’s real name is Xenoturbella!

When these deep-sea socks were first discovered, no one knew what the fuck they were looking at (and, really, can you blame them?). They have no eyes, brains, or digestive tracts. They are literally just a bag of wet slop. DNA analysis initially seemed to indicate that they were related to mollusks, until the scientists realized that DNA sample was from the clams they had recently eaten (yes, they can eat with no organs. We don’t know how.)

Scientists then analyzed the data again and tentatively placed them in the group that includes acorn worms, saying that their ancestors probably had eyes, brains, and organs, but simplified as a response to their deep sea ecosystems.

Later DNA testing has since shown that they are their own thing! Xenoturbella, along with another simple and problematic to place creature called acoelomorphs, belong to their own phylum called Xenacelomorpha! This places them as the sister group to all bilateral animals. So, they just never evolved brains, eyes, or organs. They are a glimpse at a very primitive form of animal that never bothered to change, because apparently what they do works. Rock on, purple sock worm.

I'm a squid biologist on a mission. To teach everyone about squid.

Even you.

Especially you.

Want squid facts? I have you covered. I have a squid facts hotline, 1-833-SCI-TEXT. Text SQUID to that number (1-833-724-8398), and it'll send you squid facts aplenty.

I have even created an advent calendar for you to learn squid facts throughout December. It's an 11 by 14 inch scratchy lottery, but instead of taking a chance at winning money, you are guaranteed to learn about squid.

I have a street art campaign to bring squid facts to the people. You might see wheatpastes (like the squid below) if you live in Philly, Boston, Austin, or New York, or stickers if you live in hundreds of other cities and towns across North America.

When you buy a calendar, you're supporting my undying mission to bring squid to everyone. Did you know that squid have donut shaped brains? That their class, cephalopods, have been on earth for longer than TREES? That scientists estimate that there are literally millions of giant squid living in the deep sea?

People deserve to know about squid. Help me spread the word.

Happy birthday, Soupy! 🎉🎉 📸: @mmindlinart

Im that graduate student and designed these! Buy them because they’re adorable and support scientists

A win win if you ask me

Do you like Squid Facts? 🔲Yes 🔲No

This valentines day, we thought you might need a little help from cephalopods to celebrate. Get a pack of 20 cards for your classroom, your coworkers, your neighborhood, frankly anyone who needs both a valentine AND a little bit of science to boot.

Get 'em here: https://squidfacts.bigcartel.com/

Proceeds benefit science education nonprofit Skype a Scientist AND a graduate student studying octopuses (Meg Mindlin!), trying to afford to get to a cephalopod neuroscience conference later this year.

They, of course, come with the classic heart stickers, a range of shades of pink and purple included.

water creatures for your eyes

Loligo pealeii

go mentally deranged yeh. go brainless yeh. go wacky. go positively bonkers yeh. go mad bruv. lose ya marbles yeh. go foolish

Climbing a mountain just to read a book >>>