Scientists have filmed a live colossal squid in its natural deep-sea habitat for the first time, a century after the species was first discovered. The rare footage was recorded near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, nearly 600 meters below the surface.
The squid, a juvenile measuring about 30 centimeters (nearly 12 inches), was spotted by a research team aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s vessel Falkor (too). The team, led by Dr. Michelle Taylor of the University of Essex, spent 35 days at sea exploring life in the deep ocean.
Taylor said they didn’t recognize the species at first. But it was so beautiful and unusual, they knew they had to document it.
The squid was filmed using a remotely operated vehicle during a mission to find new marine species. The footage was later reviewed and confirmed by squid expert Dr. Kat Bolstad, who stated that sightings of colossal squid are rare. Most previous encounters have involved remains found in the stomachs of whales and seabirds.
“It’s exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist,” she said.
Colossal squids are known for their massive size, as their name suggests. Scientists estimate that adults can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) long and weigh as much as 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), making them the heaviest known invertebrate.
The juveniles appear transparent at early stages, but this changes as they grow. A defining feature of the species is the sharp hooks on the middle section of each of their eight arms.
Until now, the only video evidence of the colossal squid involved dying adults caught by deep-sea fishers. This new footage marks a breakthrough in understanding the elusive species.
The discovery came 100 years after the squid was first named, a coincidence that adds historical weight to the moment.
Despite its size, the colossal squid remains largely mysterious. The Natural History Museum in London has previously noted the difficulty in estimating the species’ global population. In a 2022 statement, the institution remarked that these creatures “still straddle the line between legend and reality” due to their limited sightings.
Adding to the expedition’s significance, researchers also recorded footage of a glacial glass squid earlier this year—a first. Both sightings occurred within a short span, raising interest in the largely unexplored waters of the Southern Ocean.
“The first sighting of two different squids on back-to-back expeditions is remarkable and shows how little we have seen of the magnificent inhabitants of the southern ocean,” said Dr Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute’s executive director.
“These unforgettable moments continue to remind us that the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved.”
