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Story: Octopus and squid

Ram’s horn squid

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Ram’s horn squid

The tiny ram’s horn squid has an internal-chambered shell at the rear of its body to assist with buoyancy. Live animals are rarely encountered in New Zealand waters, but following their death, large numbers of the coiled shells wash up on west coast beaches.

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Private collection

by Steve O'Shea

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff and Steve O’Shea, Octopus and squid – Squid in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7932/rams-horn-squid (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff and Steve O’Shea, published 2 March 2009.