Colossal squid caught on camera for first time in deep sea

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A frame grab provided by the Schmidt Ocean Institute shows a colossal squid, or Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, in its natural habitat, during an Ocean Census flagship expedition in the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean

A body seize offered by the Schmidt Ocean Institute reveals a colossal squid, or Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, in its pure habitat, throughout an Ocean Census flagship expedition in the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean
| Photo Credit: AP

A colossal squid has been caught on camera for the first time in the deep sea by a global crew of researchers steering a remotely operated submersible. The sighting was introduced Tuesday (April 16, 2025) by the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

The squid filmed was a juvenile about 1 foot (30 centimeters) in size at a depth of 1,968 ft (600 meters) in the South Atlantic Ocean. Full-grown grownup colossal squids, which scientists have uncovered from the bellies of whales and seabirds, can attain lengths as much as 23 ft (7 meters) — nearly the scale of a small hearth truck.

The squid was spied final month close to the South Sandwich Islands throughout an expedition to look for new sea life. Researchers waited to confirm the species identification with different impartial scientists earlier than releasing the footage.

“I really love that we have seen a young colossal squid first. This animal is so beautiful,” stated Kat Bolstad, a squid researcher on the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, who helped verify it.

Researchers are testing completely different cameras in hopes of catching an grownup colossal squid, Ms. Bolstad stated.

The younger squid is sort of solely clear, with skinny arms. As adults, the squids lose this glassy look and grow to be an opaque darkish pink or purple. When full grown, they’re thought-about to be the world’s largest recognized invertebrates.

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