A juvenile colossal squid, the heaviest invertebrate in the world, was captured on video swimming in the deep sea for the first time since it was identified a century ago. The footage was filmed on March 9 near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean by an international team of scientists and crew on an expedition. The squid, named Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, was nearly one foot long and was at a depth of 1,968 feet when it was captured on camera. This marks the first time the colossal squid has been seen alive in its natural habitat, as it is typically encountered as prey remains in whale and seabird stomachs. The squid can grow up to 23 feet in length and weigh as much as 1,100 pounds. It is distinct from the giant squid, with a larger body and shorter tentacles. The video footage also revealed distinguishing characteristics of the colossal squid, such as hooks on the middle of its eight arms. The research vessel Falkor’s remotely operated vehicle, SuBastian, has previously captured footage of other squid species in the wild. This discovery provides valuable insights into the elusive life cycle of the colossal squid and highlights the importance of continued exploration of the deep sea.
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First-ever video captures Colossal squid swimming at depths of nearly 2,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface
