Scientists estimate there are
about 500 species of squids,
ranging in length from about 2.5
cm (1 in.) to 18 m (60 ft).
Despite differences in size and
shape, all work basically the same
way inside.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid1_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid2_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid3_icon.gif) |
Idiosepius pygmaeus mantle length to 2 cm (0.8 in.) | Promachoteuthis megaptera mantle length to 5 cm (2 in.) | Watasenia scintillans mantle length to 7 cm (2.8 in.) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid4_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid5_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid6_icon.gif) |
Leachia atlantica mantle length to 11 cm (4.3 in.) | Ctenopteryx sicula mantle length to 15 cm (5.9 in.) | Lycoteuthis diadema mantle length to 15 cm (5.9 in.) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid7_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid8_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid9_icon.gif) |
Chiroteuthis calyx mantle length to 20 cm (7.9 in.) | Cranchia scabra mantle length to 20 cm (7.9 in.) | Batoteuthis scolops mantle length to 20 cm (7.9 in.) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid10_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid11_icon.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920142636im_/http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/ICONS/graphic_squid12_icon.gif) |
Histioteuthis bonnellii mantle length to 33 cm (13 in.) | Loligo pealeii mantle length to 50 cm (19.7 in.) | Taonius pavo mantle length to 54 cm (21.3 in.) |