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In a remarkable scientific breakthrough, researchers have successfully recorded the first footage of a living colossal squid in its natural habitat, a feat that emphasizes the ongoing mysteries of deep-sea life.
The colossal squid, recognized as the largest invertebrate on Earth, was represented in this stunning video through the lens of an expedition conducted near Antarctica, where this elusive creature calls home.
Despite being the world’s most massive invertebrate, the squid featured in the footage is notably a juvenile, measuring significantly smaller than adult specimens.
For the first time ever, the elusive colossal squid, a mysterious inhabitant of the Antarctic depths, has been observed directly, marking a significant step in marine biology.
Often confused with the infamous giant squid, which has been romanticized in folklore and documented in accounts of their clashes with sperm whales, the colossal squid remains shrouded in enigma. Its deep ocean habitat has kept it largely out of sight, with scientific recognition of its existence only occurring in the last century.
While there have been occasional sightings of dead colossi, often through fishing catches, live observations have eluded scientists until this recent endeavor.
Introducing the Colossal Squid
The recent video, described as groundbreaking by the researchers, showcases a living colossal squid, verifying its authenticity through esteemed squid specialists.
This particular specimen is recognized as the heaviest invertebrate species, capable of reaching lengths up to 23 feet and weights of 1,100 pounds, although the squid captured on film is merely a foot in length.
Kat Bolstad, a squid expert from the Auckland University of Technology, played a vital role in confirming the footage. Her experience includes reassembling a deceased colossal squid, which provides her with a unique perspective on these fascinating creatures.
According to Bolstad, “This is honestly one of the most exciting observations that we’ve had throughout my career working on deep-sea cephalopods,” during a press briefing to unveil the significant find.
Bolstad highlighted the creature’s physical features, noting how “you can see the iridescent shine off the eyeballs,” along with distinctive rust-colored spots that suggest its adaptive coloration capabilities.
The baby colossal squid was seen almost 2,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface. ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute
This ability leads to speculation that the squid possesses remarkable fine control over its skin’s transparency across different areas of its body.
Captured on March 9 via a remotely operated vehicle named SuBastian, the footage was filmed at a depth of approximately 600 meters (about 1968 feet) from a research vessel called “Falkor (too)” during a comprehensive 35-day expedition near the South Sandwich Islands, which forms part of the ongoing Ocean Census project aimed at exploring the depths of marine biodiversity.
The research vessel lifts the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian out of the ocean. Alex Ingle / Schmidt Ocean Institute
A Groundbreaking Find: ‘I Started Hyperventilating’
Aaron Evans, another expert specialized in the glass squid family, assisted in confirming the species once distinctive features were observed. The presence of hooks on the squid’s arms served as key evidence in identifying it as a colossal squid, a notable differentiation from other species.
Recalling the moment they recognized the squid, Evans remarked, “I started hyperventilating” during the press conference.
In 2023, another Antarctic mission captured footage thought to be of a juvenile colossal squid, yet there remained uncertainties regarding its classification.
In stark contrast, Bolstad noted that the recent video offers “great detail” of the squid’s characteristics and behaviors.
The juvenile squid retreated from the camera after a brief encounter. ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute
Colossal squids possess unique anatomical features, such as hooks on their tentacles, which can rotate 360 degrees for capturing prey, in addition to having the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, aiding them in visualizing their dimly lit underwater environment.
Researchers speculate that these large eyes contribute to their secretive nature, enabling squids to detect potential threats before being seen.
Evans indicated that adult colossal squids would likely vacate the vicinity when encountering large objects, illustrating their cautious instincts. However, the young squid displayed a more relaxed demeanor, observing the approaching vehicle with curiosity.
Bolstad concluded with an optimistic note, expressing eagerness for future encounters with adult colossal squids, which would showcase their impressive physicality and might fuel further excitement around these majestic marine animals. “In this case, we get to introduce the live colossal squid to the world as this beautiful, little, delicate animal,” she remarked.
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