The Vampire Squid’s Luminous Cloak
Neither squid nor octopus, this ancient creature drifts through oxygen-depleted waters wearing a web of arms that can fold over its body like a cape. Its scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, literally means “vampire squid from hell.” When threatened, it wraps itself in its cloak-like arms and ejects clouds of bioluminescent mucus instead of ink, creating a disorienting light show.