SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A mysterious squid that lives along the Pacific coast could be one of the big winners in adapting to climate change. The squid is very large, very fast and very mean, but it's also willing to adapt.
The wild-looking animals are on the move with just two things on their mind: Finding food and making babies. The squid can get up to six feet long and weigh 100 pounds, and they are survivors.
"It can tolerate low oxygen," said Stanford Prof. William Gilly, Ph.D. "It can tolerate extreme temperatures, both cold and warm, and it can migrate wherever it wants. It's a very powerful swimmer."
Gilly is with Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station and is an expert on Humboldt squid.
"They are sort of the ultimate predator," said Gilly.
In the middle of those tentacles, there is a razor-sharp beak.
"When it grabs food, it engulfs the food in the arm and brings it to up the mouth, then it probably just sits there like a little mincing machine," said Gilly.
Gilly knows that first hand: He was badly bitten by a squid a few years ago and has the scars to prove it.
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