Small Squid Have Big Swimmers, Study Finds

The miniature “squeaker squid” might not be the largest guys on the block, but new research shows that they have size where it counts, in their sperm.

The smaller male members of the Spear Squid species, called “squeaker squid,” actually have much larger sperm than the big boy males. Usually, female squid prefer to mate with the biggest possible male prospects, but sneaker squid find away around this (as their name implies). Once the female has mated with the larger male, the sneaker will sneak in right as she is depositing the eggs on the seabed. 

While the larger squid’s sperm will end up fertilizing the majority of the eggs in any given batch, it is the unusual size and behavior of the sneaky sneaker squid that allows them to continue their bloodline. On average, the sneaker sperm is 25 percent larger than the other males: 100 millionths of a meter long compared to 73 millionths. While both varieties of sperm actually move at the same speed, it is likely the larger sizes were developed to better fit the females’ reservoir.