Monterey

(Image credit: arunkumud | Flickr.com)On October 9, Humboldt squid began washing ashore en masse along coastline in Monterey County, Calif.

Mysterious Phenomenon

(Image credit: Wardill, Gonzalez-Bellido, Crook & Hanlon, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences)Scientists had noticed such strandings in many squid species for decades, but why they happened was a mystery

Humboldt Squid Stranding

(Image credit: mikeledray | Shutterstock.com)While Humboldt squid (or jumbo squid) can reach 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length, the squid washing ashore in Monterey Bay are mostly juveniles about 1-foot (0.3 meters) long.

Losing Their Way

(Image credit: Jennifer O'Leary, Hopkins Marine Station)Researchers have noticed that schools of squid tend to beach en masse when they are invading a new territory, possibly because they get lost.

Toxic Waters

(Image credit: Eutrophication&hypoxia | Flickr.com)But during the most recent strandings, scientists noticed that the squid beached in 3-week cycles during red tides, or poisonous algal blooms

Potent Poison

(Image credit: Mr. Ducke | Flickr.com)The algae release a toxic chemical called domoic acid, which causes brain cells to fire like crazy.

Drunken Squid

(Image credit: Courtesy of William Gilly)The timing of the red tides suggests that the squid may be intoxicated and disoriented by the neurotoxin.

Newcomers To Monterey Bay

(Image credit: Jennifer O'Leary, Hopkins Marine Station)These squid haven't been seen in the Monterey Bay for a few years, which means the current crop of squid beaching themselves are unfamiliar with the area.

Dead Set For the Beach

(Image credit: Jennifer O'Leary, Hopkins Marine Station)Sometimes people will toss squid back into the water after a stranding, only to have them turn around and head right back for the beach, researchers say.

Mysterious but Normal

(Image credit: Jennifer O'Leary, Hopkins Marine Station)Beach strandings have occurred for decades and, though mysterious, probably aren't a sign of bigger problems in the environment, scientists say.

Scientists Clean Up

(Image credit: Chris Patton, Hopkins Marine Station)Here, marine biologist William Gilly holds a squid after a mass stranding

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