Happy as a piglet squid

Published: Thursday, 8 January 2009, 2:27PM

This remarkable little creature, appropriately named a piglet squid, has been photographed in the waters off California.

The markings on its body make it appear to be smiling all the time, while its tentacles give it a cartoon-like mop of hair.

The squid has a totally clear body and its eyes shine brightly thanks to organs, known as photophores, behind them which produce light.

About the same size as an avocado, it is considered to be a very sluggish swimmer thanks to its rotund body shape.

It lives around 300ft below sea level, meaning very little is known about the squid.

This specimen was pictured with remarkable clarity by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's director Mike Schaat.

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