Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) Pin

Finally, an enamel pin honoring your favorite deep sea squid.

The vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis, "vampire squid from Hell") is a small cephalopod found throughout temperate and tropical oceans in extreme deep sea conditions.

The vampire squid uses its bioluminescent organs and its unique oxygen metabolism to thrive in parts of the ocean with the lowest concentrations of oxygen.

This organism has two long retractile filaments, which distinguish it from both octopuses and squids, and it is placed in its own order, Vampyromorphida. As a phylogenetic relict, it is the only known surviving member of its order.

The first specimens were collected during the Valdivia Expedition. In 1903, German neurologist Carl Chun originally described them as octopuses, but they were later assigned to a new order together with several extinct taxa.