Squid
marine life of Namibia
Introduction: Squid are marine cephalopods of the order Teuthida, which comprises around 300 species. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, a mantle and arms. As with cuttlefish, they have 8 arms arranged in pairs and 2 longer tentacles. Many species of squid are popular as food and in English-speaking countries, squid is often marketed using the Italian word calamari.
Distribution: Squid are found abundantly in certain areas off the coast of Namibia.
Colouring: The skin is covered in chromatophores. These enables the squid to change colour to suit its surroundings, making it effectively invisible. The underside is almost always lighter than the topside, providingj camouflage from both prey and predator.
Size: The majority are no more than 60cm long, although the giant squid may reach 13m. In February 2007, a New Zealand fishing vessel caught a Colossal Squid weighing 495kg and measuring around 10m off the coast of Antarctica.
Cape Cross Lodge
Good mid range lodge situated directly on the beach near the Cape Cross seal colony
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
An upmarket lodge on the Skeleton Coast - only visit-able as part of a fly in safari.
Terrace Bay
Accommodation in the Skeleton Coast, really catering for fisherman but hardened visitors who absolutely have to spend a few nights inside the Skeleton Coast Park may choose to stay here
