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Colossal Squid

Elusive and rarely found, the colossal squid is the largest known invertebrate – reaching lengths of 10 meters (33 feet) and weigh nearly 500 kg (1,100 lbs)!

 

This massive squid  lives in the deep waters of the Southern Ocean, all around Antarctica.  While it usually stays in these waters, young squid are sometimes found farther north, closer to the southern waters of Australia, South Africa and South America.  They live in depths of over 2,000 m (6,562 feet) — although larvae occur as shallow as 20 meters (66 feet). The colossal squid is believed to be a visual predator, with recorded eye diameters reaching just shy of 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) to detect prey in the deep darkness and its long, hooked tentacles to seize fish and squid doesn’t protect them from becoming prey themselves – colossal squid are hunted primarily by sperm whales, but also by long finned pilot whales, southern elephant seals, southern bottle whales, albatross, and Patagonian toothfish.

Human knowledge of the colossal squid is sparse and based on very few specimens that have been captured in deep-sea fisheries or squid beaks found in the stomachs of its predator. To date, only one live colossal squid has been documented in its natural deep-water habitat. With such limited opportunities for study, it is difficult to characterize the biology and ecology of such a rare species. 

 

 

This species is not targeted commercially and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. As it is an important prey species for charismatic, protected species like sperm whales and southern elephant seals, it is vital that scientists determine its population trends and continue to study its biology and ecology.  

 

 

Protecting and restoring our oceans benefits wildlife around the world. By speaking up and working together, we can create real, measurable change for oceans and marine life. Learn more about Oceana’s campaigns to protect and restore marine biodiversity and abundance here.

 

 

Animal Diversity Web

IUCN Red List 

Jereb, P., & Roper, C. F. E. (2010). Cephalopods of the world. vol. 2: An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cephalopod species known to date.

Science: Colossal squid filmed in its natural habitat for the first time

 

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