Jerry Ziegler, age 9, of Hattiesburg, Miss., for his question:

HOW LARGE WILL A SQUID GROW?

A squid is a sea mollusk or an animal with a soft, boneless body that is similar to the octopus. Squids live throughout the world and frequently swim in large groups called shoals.

Squids range in size from less than one foot long to monsters that are about 40 feet in length, including the arms. Giant squids may even measure as much as 55 feet long.

The squid's body has two fins at the tail end. The head is surrounded by 10 arms, two of which are longer than the others. Each arm has rows of round sucking discs which it uses to catch and hold its prey. It has a horny shell inside its body.

The squid's head has two well developed eyes, a pair of powerful jaws and a rough tongue that is called the radula. A muscular tube or funnel lies below the head.

The squid swims by filling the folds in its body walls with water and then forcing it through the tube. This "jet" action makes the animal move.

Some people eat squid. Some fisherman use them for bait.