In a historic moment for marine science, researchers have captured the first-ever live footage of a colossal squid in its natural deep-sea habitat. The incredible discovery was revealed on Tuesday by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which led an international expedition in the South Atlantic Ocean using a remotely operated underwater vehicle.
The squid filmed was a juvenile, measuring about 1 foot (30 centimetres) in length, spotted at a depth of 1,968 feet (600 meters) near the South Sandwich Islands. While this particular squid was still young, full-grown adults can reach lengths of up to 23 feet (7 meters), about the size of a small fire truck. Until now, colossal squids have only been seen after being discovered inside the stomachs of whales or washed up. This live footage marks a historic moment for marine scientists.
Scientists are now experimenting with different camera techniques, hoping to catch a glimpse of a fully grown colossal squid in its natural habitat.
What is a Colossal Squid
A colossal squid is one of the largest and most mysterious creatures in the ocean. It is a soft-bodied sea animal, similar to an octopus but longer and bulkier. It has a tube-shaped body, huge eyes, and arms and tentacles with suckers to grab food.
In the water, a squid moves by sucking in water and pushing it out like a jet, which helps it swim quickly, much like a balloon zooming around when you let the air out. Many squids can also squirt ink to escape predators, and some glow in the dark using bioluminescence.
Young colossal squids are almost completely transparent, making them look like jelly. As they grow, they turn a dark red or purple colour. Fully grown, they are believed to be the largest invertebrates on Earth, meaning they have no bones but can still grow to massive sizes.
This recent sighting gives scientists hope of learning more about these elusive deep-sea giants and possibly finding an adult one alive in the ocean someday.
