Increased absorption of carbon dioxide from the earth's atmosphere could be increasing the acidity levels in the ocean, endangering sea life, including the giant squid, scientists from the University of Rhode Island said.

The animals' unique hunting patterns make them particularly susceptible to climate change, these researchers said.

The squids hunt by night in oxygen-rich shallow waters, but during the day, they descend deep into the ocean where oxygen is scarce. But as the earth warms, the acid level in the oceans is expected to reduce the amount of oxygen in shallower waters, some climate scientists theorize.

Assistant professor Brad Seibel and a University of Rhode Island post-doctoral student concluded in their report that increased acidification and warming ocean temperatures could limit the amount of oxygen the squids receive during their nighttime feedings, the Boston Globe reported.

The pattern could cause squid to seek food in even shallower waters. The ripple effect of this could be a decrease in the squid population and a shortage of food for some whales that prey on large squid, Seibel said.