Watch Groundbreaking Footage of Colossal Squid Filmed in Natural Habitat After 100 Years
In a breathtaking scientific milestone, researchers have captured the first-ever footage of a living colossal squid in its deep-sea habitat—exactly a century after the mysterious species was initially identified and named. This elusive ocean giant, long considered almost mythical by marine biologists, has finally revealed itself on camera, marking one of the most significant zoological discoveries in recent years.
The juvenile colossal squid, measuring 30cm (11.8in) in length, was captured on camera at a depth of 600 meters (1,968ft) near the South Sandwich Islands in the south Atlantic Ocean. This historic footage was recorded in March during a 35-day expedition led by Dr. Michelle Taylor from the University of Essex.
Colossal squids are believed to grow up to 7 meters (23ft) in length and can weigh as much as 500kg (1,100lb), making them the heaviest invertebrates on the planet. Despite their impressive size, these creatures have remained largely mysterious to scientists, with previous encounters mostly limited to remains found in whale and seabird stomachs.
The discovery was made using a remote-controlled vehicle from the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too).
While adult colossal squids have been filmed when caught by fishermen, this marks the first time one has been observed alive in its deep-sea environment. The global population of these enigmatic creatures remains difficult to estimate according to the Natural History Museum, which has stated that “even to this day, the enormous invertebrates still straddle the line between legend and reality.”
In another exciting development, the same research team also captured the first-ever footage of a glacial glass squid during a January expedition. Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute’s executive director, commented that these consecutive discoveries of different squid species “shows how little we have seen of the magnificent inhabitants of the southern ocean” and that “the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved.”
