In December 2009, 3 divers were killed in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez when they became the centre of a Humbolt or Jumbo Squid feeding frenzy. Their torn diving gear was found washed up onshore some days later stained by the Squids trademark ink. This has led to increasing speculation that this agressive and highly intelligent carnivore has turned on its main food competitor and become a maneater. This April a similar story was published in a Canadian outdoors magazine published in Alberta, the "Western Sportsman Magazine" It alleged a diver was savaged by Humboldt Squid off Vancouver Island ,British Columbia. This story however, was found to be a hoax.

Unconfirmed reports of Mexican fishermen being dragged overboard to their deaths are also common. These shrimp fishermen hunt the Jumbo Squid off-season in the Sea of Cortez and have nicknamed the species "los Diablos Rojas" or the Red Demons.

Named after the Humboldt Current in which they live off the coast of South America the Humboldt Squid (Dosidicus Gigas), live at depths of 1000ft to 2300ft, far below the safe diving zone for humans. Much of their behaviour remains a mystery for this reason. Though their eggs have never been seen or recorded, it is believed they lay between 100,000 and 200,000 eggs each on the sea floor.

Like other types of squid they are thought to have a one year life-cycle. They have 3 hearts and a huge brain and a beak that is made from one of the stiffest and hardest organic materials known to man.

The squid have been studied when they come close to the surface at night to feed in shoals of up to 1,200 . They are voracious hunters and pursue prey such as krill, crustaceans, pelagic and demersal fish. They also hunt other squid species and most unusually they will immediately turn to cannibalism if food becomes scarce. This is understandable when we realise they grow to over 7ft and weigh 100kg within months of birth. They can reach speeds of 15mph which renders any divers helpless should food/territorial issues arise. Their main predators; Tuna, Shark and Swordfish have been severely overfished and the Jumbo Squid has expanded its territory by vast amounts. Not long ago scientists were surprised when the Humboldt Squid appeared as far north as California. Now they show up as far north as Alaska.

Combinations of reasons are thought to be responsible for their range expansion and population increase. Climate change, pollution and lack of predators are all contributory factors.

One thing seems sure, if a creature this smart, evolved and powerful looks upon mankind as an adversary or food source it will make "Jaws" look like a kid’s bedtime story.