51 votes

A colossal squid is filmed in its natural habitat for the first time

9 comments

  1. carsonc
    Link
    I couldn't find a video on the link, so here is one on YouTube.
    • Exemplary

    I couldn't find a video on the link, so here is one on YouTube.

    16 votes
  2. [4]
    skybrian
    Link
    From the article:

    From the article:

    The squid, measuring about one foot in length, was seen nearly 2,000 feet below the surface in March, in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Schmidt Ocean Institute said in a statement. The footage was recorded by an underwater vehicle operated remotely by a crew with the organization.

    "It's exciting to see the first in situ [on site] footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist," said Dr. Kat Bolstad, an associate professor at the Auckland University of Technology who helped verify the footage. "For 100 years, we have mainly encountered them as prey remains in whale and seabird stomachs, and as predators of harvested toothfish."

    12 votes
    1. [2]
      JCPhoenix
      Link Parent
      Aww it wasn't an actual colossal -- length-wise -- squid. I was hoping to see a 23' long squid. Still pretty cool.

      Aww it wasn't an actual colossal -- length-wise -- squid. I was hoping to see a 23' long squid. Still pretty cool.

      16 votes
      1. kaffo
        Link Parent
        I mean, they said "juvenile" so it's just a baby! One day he'll grow to be 1000 feet long and fight Godzilla.

        I mean, they said "juvenile" so it's just a baby! One day he'll grow to be 1000 feet long and fight Godzilla.

        9 votes
    2. chocobean
      Link Parent
      Baby! :) must be exciting when the animals you've been studying which never been seen alive before is just casually hanging out with it's tiny little cute tentacles I was hoping filmed meant a...

      Baby!

      He quickly sent a low-resolution image of the invertebrate to Bolstad, which he later described as "incredibly cruel" since it was not detailed enough for identification. [...] "She's climbing the walls like, 'Give me the high res! Give me the high res!' " Linley recalled.

      :) must be exciting when the animals you've been studying which never been seen alive before is just casually hanging out with it's tiny little cute tentacles

      I was hoping filmed meant a video, and that it was a dramatic long shot of one swimming past the camera and keeps going and going and going. But a baby checking out research equipment is cuter. Don't worry baby, my muscles are translucent as well. And hopefully this encounter was fun and safe for you, and then you'll grow huge and check out human robots again. :)

      11 votes
  3. [2]
    Wish_for_a_dragon
    Link
    Having seen the Giant Squid on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History as a child, I’ve always been fascinated by these beautiful creatures. Though it wasn’t until maybe 15 years ago...

    Having seen the Giant Squid on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History as a child, I’ve always been fascinated by these beautiful creatures. Though it wasn’t until maybe 15 years ago or so that I recall ever hearing about Colossal Squid.

    Past that time we’ve had opportunities to see them in the flesh, pulled up next to boats, and continued finding remains in other animals. Let’s hope we can continue to learn more about them in non-destructive ways.

    7 votes
    1. PigeonDubois
      Link Parent
      I've seen the one at Te Papa a couple of times about a decade apart and the second time it was really starting to degrade (at least by my memory, it's possible it's all imagined!)

      I've seen the one at Te Papa a couple of times about a decade apart and the second time it was really starting to degrade (at least by my memory, it's possible it's all imagined!)

      5 votes
  4. fefellama
    Link
    Always great to see scientists excited by new discoveries!

    "We got very excited, and we started hyperventilating. I mean, I can't speak for Kat. I started hyperventilating," Evans said.

    Always great to see scientists excited by new discoveries!

    4 votes
  5. Guzz
    Link
    Simply fascinating, what a marvelous creature. The underwater world is truly incredible.

    Simply fascinating, what a marvelous creature. The underwater world is truly incredible.

    3 votes