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Scientists answer mystery of Flying Squid

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Japanese researches have found a type of ocean squid that can fly more than 30 metres through the air at speeds faster than Usain Bolt.

The Neon Flying Squid propels itself out of the ocean by shooting a jet of water at high pressure. It then opens its fins to glide at up to 11.2 metres per second, Jun Yamamoto of Hokkaido University said.

Olympic Gold medallist Bolt averaged 10.31 metres a second when he won at the London Games last year.

Researchers say is the first time anyone has ever described the mechanism the flying mollusc employs.

Yamamoto found the squid when his team were following a shoal of around 100 squid. As their boat approached, the 20-centimetre creatures launched themselves into the air with a powerful jet of water that shot out from their funnel-like stems.

The squid are in the air for about three seconds and can travel up to 30 metres.

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