Reprinted from Mexican newsletter
Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point as many Americans know it, is famous for its golden beaches, sunny skies, and tranquil tides. But lurking in the deep, dark waters just offshore lives a creature straight out of a deep-sea horror story — the Humboldt squid.
Known by fishermen as el diablo rojo — the red devil — the Humboldt squid is a powerful and intelligent predator that roams the deeper parts of the Sea of Cortez. Growing up to six feet long and weighing over 100 pounds, these squids are not your average calamari. They’re fast, aggressive, and equipped with a set of tentacles covered in razor-sharp suckers. Their beaks — yes, beaks — can crush the shells of crabs, the bones of fish, and even leave nasty gashes on human flesh.
The stories from local fishermen are the stuff of campfire legends. Ask around the docks in Rocky Point and you’ll hear tales of boats surrounded by dozens of flashing red devils, their chromatophores pulsing as they change color in an instant — a sign of agitation or attack. Some say they’ve had their lines ripped apart or fish snatched off the hooks by these underwater beasts. A few have even claimed encounters too close for comfort, where the squid breached the surface, tentacles lashing, in a frenzy of flashing lights and ink.
And here’s where it gets even more intense: Humboldt squid are known to be pack hunters. Unlike their more solitary cousins, they attack in coordinated groups — a rare behavior in the animal kingdom and especially eerie coming from a creature with ten limbs, massive eyes, and a reputation for short tempers. Scientists have observed them swarming with military precision, tearing into schools of fish… and sometimes, each other. Yes, these squid are cannibalistic.
Despite their terrifying reputation, Humboldt squid are also surprisingly intelligent. Researchers have noted their ability to communicate through patterns of light and color, and to solve simple problems in captivity. Some even believe they have a primitive form of social hierarchy — which makes them all the more fascinating, and just a little more unnerving.
So, should beachgoers in Rocky Point be worried? Not really. Humboldt squid stick to deeper waters during the day and typically only rise closer to the surface at night — especially on moonless evenings. They tend to avoid shallow coastal areas, so your toes are safe while wading at the beach.
Still, it’s a reminder that the Sea of Cortez, often called “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, holds secrets far beyond what the eye can see. Beneath the sparkling waters and postcard views lies a rich and wild ecosystem — home to beauty, mystery, and creatures that remind us nature is never dull.
So next time you’re sipping a cold drink on the shore, glance out at that vast blue expanse. Somewhere out there, in the twilight of the deep, el diablo rojo waits — fast, smart, and hungry.
