{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "vampire-squid",
  "name": "Vampire Squid",
  "scientificName": "Vampyroteuthis infernalis",
  "category": "Invertebrate",
  "summary": "The vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) is a deep-sea cephalopod that turns its cape inside out and eats marine snow, not blood. Adults reach 30 cm and are Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Mollusca",
    "class": "Cephalopoda",
    "order": "Vampyromorphida",
    "family": "Vampyroteuthidae",
    "genus": "Vampyroteuthis"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.7,
    "lengthM": 0.3,
    "topSpeedKmh": 3,
    "lifespanYears": 8
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Vampyroteuthis infernalis"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Detritivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Deep midwater"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "8–10 years"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "0.5–1 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "up to 3 km/h"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Oxygen-minimum zones of deep oceans worldwide.",
    "continents": [
      "North America",
      "South America",
      "Africa",
      "Asia",
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/vampire-squid/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/vampire-squid/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}