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An international collaboration aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by capturing the first-ever footage of the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) in its natural habitat. This remarkable sighting, featuring a juvenile squid measuring approximately 30 centimeters (almost one foot), took place at a depth of 600 meters (1968 feet) on March 9 during an expedition near the South Sandwich Islands, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean. Coinciding with this event, the year marks a century since the species was identified and formally named, belonging to the family of glass squids (Cranchiidae).
In a related endeavor earlier this year, on January 25, a team from a preceding expedition aboard the same vessel successfully filmed the first verified images of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) in the Southern Ocean close to Antarctica. This sighting is particularly significant as G. glacialis had never before been observed alive in its natural surroundings.
The 35-day expedition responsible for the colossal squid footage was part of an Ocean Census flagship project aimed at discovering new marine species. This initiative involved a partnership between the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, and GoSouth—a collaborative effort featuring the University of Plymouth (UK), GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (Germany), and the British Antarctic Survey. Dr. Kat Bolstad from the Auckland University of Technology, a consulting expert for the project, expressed her excitement, stating, “It is thrilling to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal squid and humbling to realize they are unaware of human existence.” She noted that prior encounters with these creatures had predominantly been through remains found in the digestive tracts of whales and seabirds, as well as their role as predators of commercially harvested toothfish.
Colossal squids are known to reach lengths of up to seven meters (23 feet) and can weigh around 500 kilograms (1100 lbs), making them the largest invertebrates on earth. Despite their size, their life cycles remain largely enigmatic. Over time, the juveniles lose their semi-transparent appearance, and while dying adults have occasionally been observed by fishermen, live sightings at depth have been elusive.
Dr. Aaron Evans, another expert in the glass squid family, has also validated the footage of both squid species. He and Dr. Bolstad pointed out that one of the key features distinguishing colossal squids is the presence of hooks located along the middle of their eight arms, setting them apart from G. glacialis. While the juvenile colossal squid and G. glacialis share similarities such as their transparent bodies and the sharp hooks on their longer tentacles, this characteristic is a significant differentiator.
Dr. Michelle Taylor of the University of Essex, who served as chief scientist for the expedition, remarked on the advantages of utilizing telepresence technology aboard the Falkor (too). She emphasized the importance of the Ocean Census international science network in promoting collaborative species discovery and enhancing our understanding of oceanic life, all in real-time with the global scientific community.
The first authenticated video of the G. glacialis was recorded in the Bellingshausen Sea near Antarctica during a previous Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition in January, which focused on surveying the seafloor following the calving of a massive iceberg from the George VI ice shelf. Dr. Thom Linley, a deep-sea expert from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, notified Dr. Bolstad when he witnessed the footage from the vessel’s control room. Captured at a depth of 687 meters (2254 feet), the transparent G. glacialis displayed its arms in a position reminiscent of the cockatoo pose often observed in other glass squid species.
Reflecting on the back-to-back sightings, Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, stated, “The discovery of two different squid species during consecutive expeditions is extraordinary and underscores how little we know about the remarkable organisms residing in the Southern Ocean.” Fortunately, the high-resolution imagery obtained during these encounters permits global experts, who were not present on the vessel, to identify both species accurately.
So far, the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s ROV SuBastian has successfully captured confirmed footage of at least four squid species in their natural settings, including the Spirula spirula (commonly known as the Ram’s Horn Squid) in 2020 and the Promachoteuthis in 2024, with one further sighting pending confirmation. “These unforgettable moments serve as a continuous reminder that the ocean is teeming with mysteries yet to be uncovered,” Dr. Virmani commented.
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