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First-Ever Video of Elusive Colossal Squid Captured in Deep Sea
For the first time in a century since its identification, the colossal squid, recognized as the world’s most massive invertebrate, has been filmed alive in its deep-sea habitat. This remarkable footage offers a rare glimpse into the life of this mysterious creature.
Historic Deep-Sea Sighting Near South Sandwich Islands
The groundbreaking video was recorded on March 9th during a scientific expedition in the South Atlantic Ocean, near the South Sandwich Islands. An international team of scientists and crew aboard a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition achieved this milestone, as detailed in a news release from the institute.
Juvenile Specimen Observed at Nearly 2,000 Feet Depth
According to the release, the colossal squid, known scientifically as Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, was a juvenile, measuring approximately one foot in length. The encounter occurred at a depth of 1,968 feet. Researchers and crew members aboard the institute’s research vessel, Falkor (too), utilized a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) named SuBastian to capture the unprecedented video.
Scientific Perspective on the Deep-Sea Discovery
“Witnessing the inaugural in situ footage of a juvenile colossal squid is truly thrilling,” remarked Kat Bolstad, an expert from the Auckland University of Technology. “It’s also humbling to contemplate their existence, seemingly unaware of humankind.”
Bolstad, among other scientific specialists, played a role in validating the authenticity of the captured video.
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Decades of Indirect Observation
“For a century,” Bolstad explained, “our knowledge of these creatures primarily stemmed from remnants found in the stomachs of whales and seabirds, or as predators affecting commercially harvested toothfish.”
Colossal Squid: Officially Identified in 1925
The colossal squid received its formal identification and scientific name in 1925. However, until this recent expedition, capturing live footage of this animal in its natural environment had remained an elusive goal.
Unveiling the Enigmatic Colossal Squid
Estimates suggest that colossal squid can attain lengths of up to 23 feet and weigh as much as 1,100 pounds, according to the institute. Information regarding their life cycle remains limited, though it is known that their transparent bodies transform as they mature into adults.
Distinguishing Colossal Squid from Giant Squid
It is important to differentiate the colossal squid from the giant squid, as clarified by the Natural History Museum of London. While both are categorized as large cephalopods, they belong to distinct squid families. Giant squid possess significantly longer tentacles and a slender body, whereas colossal squid are characterized by a more robust body and shorter tentacles.
Key Physical Traits
Bolstad and Aaron Evans, an independent specialist in the glass squid family who also aided in verifying the video, highlighted the distinctive attributes of colossal squid, notably the hooks present on the midsections of their eight arms.
ROV SuBastian: A Tool for Deep-Sea Exploration
To date, the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s ROV SuBastian has been instrumental in recording confirmed footage of at least four squid species in their natural habitats, including the Promachoteuthis species last year and the ram’s horn squid in 2020.