Hundreds of aggressive jumbo flying squid have appeared off the coast of San Diego, attacking divers and washing up dead on beaches.So they're not actually giant squid, they're jumbos.
The 5-foot long sea monsters, which have razor-sharp beaks and toothy tentacles, have been bringing terror to scuba drivers and swimmers on the coast's tourist-packed beaches. The carnivorous calamari, which can grow up to 100 pounds, came up from the depths last week and swarms of them have pounced on unsuspecting divers.
"Harriet! Look out! It's a jumbo calamari!"
[GLURG!]
Some divers have reported tentacles enveloping their masks and yanking at their cameras and gear, ...
So basically it's like a mugging ...
... leaving many too scared to go in the water. Increasing numbers of the squid, which come from Mexico, are being found in California and scientists say they may have moved because of global warming, a shortage of food or a decline in natural predators.
Stories of too-close encounters with the alien-like cephalopods have chased many veteran divers out of the water and created a whirlwind of excitement among the rest, who are torn between their personal safety and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with the deep-sea giants.
The so-called Humboldt squid have been known to attack humans and are nicknamed 'red devils' for their rust-red coloring and mean streak.
The squid hunt in schools of up to 1,200, can swim up to 15 mph and can skim over the water to escape predators.