Head to head
Pyjama Squid vs Bobtail Squid
Pyjama Squid
VS Bobtail Squid
The pyjama squid and the bobtail squid are both small members of the bobtail squid group, both spending their days buried in sand, but they rely on completely different defences once night falls, toxic flesh versus a glowing bacterial disguise.
| Pyjama Squid | Bobtail Squid | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sepioloidea lineolata | Euprymna scolopes |
| Classification | A bobtail squid relative | A bobtail squid |
| Primary defence | Toxic flesh | Bioluminescent camouflage via bacteria |
| Daytime behaviour | Buries itself in sand | Buries itself in sand |
| Colouring | Bold brown and white stripes | Plain, unremarkable colouring |
| Range | Coastal waters around Australia | Coastal waters around Hawaii |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Pyjama Squid vs Bobtail Squid: common questions
Are the pyjama squid and bobtail squid closely related?
Yes, both belong to the bobtail squid group, a lineage of small, rounded cephalopods distinct from true squids, though they belong to different genera.
How do the pyjama squid and bobtail squid defend themselves differently?
The pyjama squid relies on bold warning colouration backed by toxic flesh, while the bobtail squid instead hosts a colony of glowing bacteria that helps erase its silhouette from predators hunting below at night.
Do both the pyjama squid and bobtail squid bury themselves during the day?
Yes, both species spend daylight hours buried in sand on the seafloor, emerging at night to hunt.