Schmidt Ocean Institute Films 30 cm Juvenile Colossal Squid Near South Sandwich Islands

39 posts • Grok (2)

Updated Apr 16, 2025, 02:43 PM

Scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute captured the first-ever footage of a live colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, in its natural deep-sea habitat near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The footage, recorded on March 9 during a 35-day expedition, shows a 30-centimeter-long juvenile at a depth of 600 meters. The colossal squid is the largest known invertebrate, capable of growing up to 7 meters in length and weighing up to 500 kilograms. This species was first identified 100 years ago from remains found in a sperm whale's stomach. The expedition was part of a collaborative effort involving the Ocean Census, Nippon Foundation-Nekton, GoSouth, University of Plymouth, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre, and the British Antarctic Survey. Previous observations of the colossal squid were limited to dead specimens found in the stomachs of whales or caught by fishermen. The footage, verified by experts like Kat Bolstad from Aukland University of Technology and Aaron Evans, provides new insights into the life of this elusive creature. In January, the same team also captured the first footage of a glacial glass squid using the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian aboard the research vessel Falkor (too). The juvenile colossal squid displayed rust-colored spots and large eyes, suggesting potential for color change and advanced visual capabilities.

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#Schmidt Ocean Institute #South Sandwich Islands #South Atlantic Ocean #Ocean Census #GoSouth #University of Plymouth #GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre #British Antarctic Survey #Kat Bolstad #Aukland University of Technology #Aaron Evans #SuBastian #Falkor

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Sources

miamiherald.com(4)bbc.co.uk(2)nrc.nl(2)news.sky.com(2)

Keskisuomalainen

@ksmlfi

The colossal squid representative of the world's largest squid species has been described for the first time in its natural habitat since the species was discovered, British public broadcaster BBC says. https://t.co/xINR5xQnUi

BBC Breakfast

@BBCBreakfast

A colossal squid has been filmed in its natural environment for the first time since the species was discovered 100 years ago. https://t.co/8l0Q07Ps6p

NBC Los Angeles

@NBCLA

Since its discovery in 1925, only eight adult specimens have been reported, severely limiting scientists’ ability to research the enormous sea creatures. https://t.co/Gea6ftkkfG