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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Pandantic@midwest.social to c/til@lemmy.world

Some cephalopods are able to fly through the air for distances of up to 50 metres (160 ft). While cephalopods are not particularly aerodynamic, they achieve these impressive ranges by jet-propulsion; water continues to be expelled from the funnel while the organism is in the air. The animals spread their fins and tentacles to form wings and actively control lift force with body posture. One species, Todarodes pacificus, has been observed spreading tentacles in a flat fan shape with a mucus film between the individual tentacles, while another, Sepioteuthis sepioidea, has been observed putting the tentacles in a circular arrangement.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalopod#Senses

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[-] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 39 points 1 year ago

So what I’m hearing is that at 50 meters from the shoreline it is unlikely, but not impossible, that a squid may leap onto your face.

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Yes. Depends on how big of a jerk you're being.

[-] brianorca@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

50 meters would assume a flat surface of the water, not the gentle slope of a beach.

[-] mozz@mbin.grits.dev 35 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Holy shit man

TL;DW it's rare, there's no video apparently. They think they maybe do it to get away from predators but against all odds they can do a pretty good job at it for "short" distances.

[-] PipedLinkBot@feddit.rocks 9 points 1 year ago

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[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago

Damn right we can fly! Is my username a joke to you people?

P.S. Fuck cuttlefish. Showoffs.

[-] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago
[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago
[-] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I mean I figure most u/ns are inside jokes I just haven't figured out yet. Halfway there...

I heard some of them post on social media, too

[-] NoIWontPickAName@kbin.earth 2 points 1 year ago

I can’t remember their instance to tag them

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 4 points 1 year ago
[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago
[-] Pandantic@midwest.social 5 points 1 year ago

Hello and welcome. So tell me, what’s it like to exit the ocean and take flight?

[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Like nothing you stupid hairless apes could ever comprehend.

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 3 points 1 year ago
[-] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

I posted a picture of them elsewhere in the thread. The one on the far right is Gary. Never lend him money. Trust me.

[-] delirious_owl@discuss.online 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Don't trust this one. He still owes me tree fiddy

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

lol, thanks for the tip, I’ll keep an eye out for him!

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 7 points 1 year ago

Flying squids are cool. A lot like flying squirrels - more like gliding than proper flight.

My guesses are similar to the ones in the video mozz linked: developed for migration, or avoiding predators (including intra-species), or perhaps both. Air travel might be difficult due to gravity, but it's a pretty handy tool if you're trying to survive.

[-] SplashJackson@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 year ago

Sounds like bullshit meant to poison AI

[-] psycho_driver@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

I've almost flown off the toilet in a similar fashion after Taco Bell.

[-] bitwaba@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Same here. Including the mucus covered tentacles.

[-] CuttingBoard@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

Did it feel like water was being expelled from your funnel?

[-] psycho_driver@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Copious amounts.

[-] tiefling@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Octillery used Fly!

Bulbasaur is confused 💫

[-] delirious_owl@discuss.online 2 points 1 year ago

Lastly, there is one brave reptile that seems to break all the rules of flight and aerodynamics. It’s the flying snake.

I have a new nightmare, thanks

[-] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

They can live in very different habitats, ranging from beneath the ocean waves to high up in the tree tops of a rainforest

Wut. rainforest tree squids?

[-] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 1 year ago

This unique flying tool is called a patagium, which is a stretchy cape of loose skin that starts at their wrists, extends along their body, and attaches at their ankles

Don't put your dick in it. Don't..

[-] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 1 year ago

The Draco Lizard, also called the Flying Dragon, makes its home in the jungles of Southeast Asia and Southern India. Measuring a mere 8 inches from head to tail, it’s astounding that they can fly through the forest for up to 100 feet! They accomplish this by using folds of skin that rest against their body. When unfurled, this skin acts as wings.

Can it breathe fire too?

this post was submitted on 30 May 2024
256 points (98.9% liked)

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