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How deep can squids and octopuses live?
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cephalopod
Blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena).
Cephalopods inhabit a wide range of depths across the world's oceans, with their vertical distribution varying significantly by group.1
- Squids: Coastal forms, such as those in the suborder Myopsida, are typically found in shallower waters. In contrast, oceanic squids (Oegopsida) occupy a vast vertical range, living from the surface down to depths exceeding 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). Specific deep-sea species, such as the colossal squid, are known to inhabit cold, deep regions ranging from 20 to 2,000 meters (66 to 6,562 feet).12
- Octopuses: The order Octopoda is highly diverse in its vertical range. While some species live at the surface of the open ocean, many are bottom-dwelling forms that inhabit the continental shelf and its slope. Certain species are found on the ocean floor at depths exceeding 5,000 meters (16,400 feet).1
In general, while many cephalopods are restricted to shallower coastal or shelf environments, others have successfully adapted to the extreme pressures of the deep sea.1