Piglet squid smiles for the camera

This bizarre sea creature looks happy with its lot in life as it appears to be smiling broadly. The rarely photographed piglet squid was captured on film at a rescue aquarium.

Its tentacles and skin patterns have formed an adorable shape of a small smiling face with what looks like curly locks on his head.

The piglet squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi), named because of its rotund shape, is normally found in the darkness more than 320 feet (100m) below the surface of the ocean.



Measuring just 3.9cm (10cm) in length, this squid species has light producing organs to help it navigate the depths.

Because of its deep water habitat, little is known of its behaviour, although not surprisingly, judging by its body shape, it is known to be a sluggish swimmer.

This specimen, about the size of an orange, was collected by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, where director Mike Schaat managed to film it.