Flying Squid!

[n2doc]

The oceanic squid can fly more than 100 feet through the air at speeds faster than Usain Bolt if it wants to escape predators, Japanese researchers said.

The mollusc propels itself out of the ocean by shooting a jet of water at high pressure, before opening its fins to glide at up to 11.2 metres per second, Jun Yamamoto of Hokkaido University said.
Olympic Gold medallist Bolt averaged 10.31 metres a second when he bagged gold in London last year.
"There were always witnesses and rumours that said squid were seen flying, and we have proved that it really is true," Yamamoto told AFP.
Yamamoto and his team were tracking a shoal of around 100 oceanic squid in the northwest Pacific 600 kilometres (370 miles) east of Tokyo, in July 2011.
As their boat approached, the 20 centimetre (8-inch) creatures launched themselves into the air with a powerful jet of water that shot out from their funnel-like stems.

more
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9856840/Squids-can-fly-100-feet-through-the-air.html

[Scuba]

1. Our understanding of marine environment and life is still stuff of the dark ages.

[me b zola]

8. While some dream of exploring space

I always dreamed of exploring our oceans. In many ways its like an entirely different universe down there, on our very own planet.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Prototype for sea drones, no doubt nt

[appal_jack]

3. I believe that these were mentioned in Kon Tiki.

I believe that these were mentioned in the wonderful travelogue, Kon Tiki. If I recall correctly (it's probably been nearly three decades since I read the book), Heyerdahl & crew woke up each morning to a veritable buffet of squid & also flying fish that had fled underwater predators overnight, only to expire on the balsa deck of their raft. They had been worried about food supplies, but ended up arriving in the Americas with plenty of unopened rations. Truly fascinating!

-app

[libodem]

4. Amazing

Nature is amazing. I know this is a dumb comment but I'm so astonished I don't know what to say.

[arcane1]

5. As Loren Eiseley's wife would say, "they ought to be watched"

[Orrex]

6. Quick! Deploy the Squid Squad!

[lastlib]

12. ..if they fly in formation, are they the Square Squid Squad?

[Fuddnik]

7. I thought this was about Naval Aviators.

[wryter2000]

9. And they taste so good with garlic mayonnaise n/t

n/t

[Burma Jones]

10. Squid Girl's legions are ready for attack!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squid_Girl

[lastlib]

11. When I first saw this thread something on my screen covered up the 'F'...

...I initially thought it was titled 'lying squid'! I had visions of some GOP bigwig or maybe Fox Nooze.... ha!

[MynameisBlarney]

13. Heh

A commenter at Raw Story has "Flying Squid" for his handle.
I posted this link for him over there.

He's the second from the left, btw.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

14. My first thought was this...

[Reno Master]

15. That's an unfair speed comparison!

The squid's top speed of 11.2 mps to "Lightning" Bolt's average speed of 10.31 mps.

[Thor_MN]

16. Apples and basketballs, it's a bad comparison.

Usain can't run on water and squids can't fly on running tracks.

[Bill USA]

17. and much faster than Usain Bolt on water! Seriously....fascinating.