Scientists spot a squid doing something profoundly rare in the deep sea

During a recent dive in California's Monterey Bay, marine researchers had a weird encounter. There was a sheet of eggs hauled through the water.

A deep-sea squid (Bathyteuthis sp.) grasping hundreds of eggs in her arms was encountered by researchers. This squid behavior was captured by a remote-operated vehicle.

Squids are thought to lay their eggs and then swim away. Carrying hundreds of potential offspring is not normal.

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The best answer for this behavior is parental instinct, according to a marine scientist at the museum. Bush said that the squid protects the eggs against predator. The squid fled with the eggs when the robotic vehicle came close.

Since squids live in the deep oceans, we think of them as slow- moving to conserve energy. Bush said that they can get off quickly if you get too close.

Bush said there is a second reason for this behavior. Egg development depends on the water temperature in the ocean. Female squids sometimes carry their eggs to protect them from the cold.

Mother watch over their eggs until they hatch. Some squid species carry eggs with them. Female squids are more likely to show this behavior than male squids.

It's difficult to see animal behaviors in the deep sea. Bush said that the oceans are vast and not densely packed. The animals in the ocean are not as dense as we're used to seeing.