Rossia moelleri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rossia moelleri |
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The Rossia moelleri is a special type of bobtail squid. It is a small cephalopod that lives in the cold waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. You can find this squid in many places, from the Laptev Sea in the east to Amundsen Bay in the west. It also lives near Greenland, Canada, Labrador, Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, and in the Kara Sea. This little squid makes its home deep underwater, usually between 17 and 250 meters (about 56 to 820 feet) below the surface.
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About the Rossia Moelleri Squid
The Rossia moelleri is a fascinating creature of the deep sea. It belongs to a group of animals called cephalopods, which also includes octopuses and cuttlefish. These animals are known for their soft bodies, many arms, and often, their ability to change color.
What Does It Look Like?
This bobtail squid is quite small. It can grow up to 50 millimeters (about 2 inches) long. This measurement is taken from its mantle, which is the main part of its body that holds its organs. Imagine a squid about the size of your thumb!
Where Does It Live?
The Rossia moelleri prefers cold, deep waters. Its home stretches across a vast area of the northern parts of the world.
- Northern Atlantic Ocean: This includes areas near Greenland and Canada.
- Arctic Ocean: You can find it in the icy waters of the Arctic, including the Laptev Sea and Kara Sea.
- Specific Locations: It has been seen off the coasts of Labrador, Spitsbergen, and Jan Mayen.
What Does It Eat and Who Eats It?
Like many ocean creatures, the Rossia moelleri is part of the food chain. It likely eats small fish and crustaceans that live in the deep sea. But it also has to watch out for predators. In the waters near Norway, two well-known fish like to eat the Rossia moelleri:
- Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
These bigger fish help control the population of the Rossia moelleri in its natural habitat.
Discovery of the Rossia Moelleri
The Rossia moelleri was first described by a scientist named Japetus Steenstrup in 1856. The very first example of this squid that scientists studied, called the type specimen, was found off the coast of Greenland. This special specimen was kept at the Zoologisk Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. However, that original specimen is no longer there today.
