Squid Dissection
Coastal Habitats & Species—Squid Dissection
Summary: Students will dissect a squid, learn about squid anatomy and adaptations, and then compare their dissected specimen to an octopus.
Concepts to teach: Squid anatomy and adaptations, Compare and Contrast
Goals: Students will investigate and discuss internal and external squid anatomy. Some features of the squid will be compared to similar features on an octopus.
Standards:
4.2L.1, 5.2L.1
Specific Objectives:
- Observe the external and internal anatomy of a cephalopod
- Compare and contrast tentacle designs of a squid and the arms of an octopus.
- Write your name in squid ink!
- Examine the squid’s eye.
Activity Links and Resources:
- Squid Dissection: From Pen to Ink from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County “Seamobile Guide 2001”, pages 36-42.
- Squid background material from Hatfield Marine Science Center
- Don’t want to lead a squid dissection in your own classroom? Oregon Sea Grant offers a 1-hour Squid Dissection Lab class at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.
- Background information on the Humboldt Squid from the Gilly Lab at Standford University
- Multimedia links about squid
- Kids and Squids PDF—Humboldt squid dissection guide for educators from the Hopkins Marine Station, NOAA NMFS Santa Cruz
- NOAA news article from 2009: NOAA Scientists Catch Rare Giant Squid
Assessment:
- Worksheet included in the LaRosa dissection lesson plan.
