Parasiteuthis callowayi
The cookiecutter squid is a small pelagic squid species common in the Pacific Ocean 175 million years in the future. It its noteworthy for its habit of attaching itself to larger animals such as mermice, sea orms, or Cetornis. When a potential host animal is sighted, it will rapidly shoot its tentacles towards it. These tentacles are deceptively strong, tipped with chitinous hooks, and function similarly to a grappling hook. If the squid manages to anchor itself onto the host, it will retract the tentacles and grip to the host’s surface with its other arms, the inner surfaces of which are also lined with hooks. Once attached, it will use its powerful beak to excise chunks of flesh. An individual may remove many pieces of flesh from the same host, leaving extensive wounds.
