A groundbreaking discovery has finally shed light on the elusive colossal squid, revealing a glimpse into its natural habitat and challenging our understanding of these enigmatic creatures.
The colossal squid, the largest invertebrate on the planet, has long been shrouded in mystery. For decades, scientists had only a vague sense of its appearance from fragments of its remains found in the stomachs of whales that eat it. However, thanks to a recent discovery, we have finally caught a glimpse of this elusive creature in its natural habitat.
The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is a massive cephalopod found in the Antarctic and southern oceans.
Reaching lengths of up to 43 feet (13 meters), it's considered one of the largest invertebrates on Earth.
Its massive beak and suckers are used for capturing prey, while its massive eyes are thought to detect bioluminescent signals from other animals.
The colossal squid is a deep-sea dweller, typically found at depths of 1,000-2,000 meters.
The Discovery
A vessel from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a US-based non-profit organisation, was surveying the Southern Ocean near the South Sandwich Islands when an online viewer flagged that they might have just filmed a colossal squid. Acting on the tip, the researchers sent the high-resolution footage to independent squid experts, who confirmed that the squid had distinctive hooks along the suckers on its eight arms – a hallmark of the colossal squid.
The squid was roaming at 600 meters under the water’s surface, and it measured a mere 30 centimeters in length – a baby. This discovery is significant not only because it provides the first confirmed image of a colossal squid but also because it highlights the vast mysteries still surrounding these creatures.
A New Perspective
While colossal squids are thought to grow up to 7 meters in length and 500 kilograms in weight, this recent sighting suggests that even smaller specimens may be more common than previously thought. The discovery also raises questions about the lives of these gigantic invertebrates, which remain largely unknown.
Experts point out that there have been previous claims of colossal squid sightings, but none have been confirmed until now. In 2023, researchers from another US-based non-profit organisation, Kolossal, claimed to have filmed a colossal squid, but the footage was too low in quality to be confirmed. The new sighting may suggest that this footage actually captures a colossal squid.
Unveiling the Mysteries
The lives of colossal squids are still shrouded in mystery, and scientists continue to study these creatures to learn more about them. Steve O’Shea, formerly at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand, who coined the name ‘colossal squid‘ in the early 2000s, once described them as ‘seriously evil denizens of the deep.‘ However, he now believes they are more like ‘giant gelatinous ticks, simply blobbing around in the water column near the sea bed.’
Steve O'Shea is a renowned New Zealand whale researcher, not Australian.
He has made significant contributions to the field of cetacean research, particularly on sperm whales and their behavior.
O'Shea's work focuses on understanding the social structures and communication patterns of these marine mammals.
With over 35 years of experience, he has conducted extensive research in various parts of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
The discovery of this colossal squid provides a new perspective on these creatures and highlights the importance of continued research into their lives and habitats. As we continue to explore the depths of our oceans, we may uncover even more secrets about these enigmatic animals.
- newscientist.com | First ever confirmed image of a colossal squid in the deep ocean
