Head to head
Piglet Squid vs Vampire Squid
Piglet Squid
VS Vampire Squid
Both are small, unusual cephalopods, but only one of them is actually a true squid.
| Piglet Squid | Vampire Squid | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Helicocranchia pfefferi | Vampyroteuthis infernalis |
| Taxonomic classification | A true squid | Neither a true squid nor a true octopus |
| Diet | Carnivore, small crustaceans and zooplankton | Detritivore, mostly marine snow |
| Buoyancy | Ammonium-filled internal chamber | Nearly neutrally buoyant, gelatinous body |
| Defence mechanism | Not documented | Ejects glowing bioluminescent mucus instead of ink |
| Habitat depth | Closer to the surface as juveniles, deeper as adults | Oxygen minimum zone, roughly 600–1,200 m |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Piglet Squid vs Vampire Squid: common questions
Is the piglet squid a true squid, unlike the vampire squid?
Yes, the piglet squid is a true squid, while the vampire squid is neither a true squid nor a true octopus, instead being the sole surviving member of its own ancient taxonomic order.
Which one lives in the oxygen minimum zone?
The vampire squid lives in the oxygen minimum zone, a band of water so low in oxygen that almost no other cephalopod can survive there, while the piglet squid is found across a broader range of depths.
Which one eats marine snow rather than hunting live prey?
The vampire squid is the one that eats marine snow, drifting through its low-oxygen habitat collecting dead plankton and debris, while the piglet squid actively hunts small crustaceans and zooplankton.