In a landmark moment for marine biology, scientists aboard the research vessel Falkor have captured the first in situ footage of a colossal squid swimming freely in the wild, nearly 100 years after the species was first discovered.
The remarkable video was recorded on March 9 during a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition exploring waters between Argentina and Antarctica. Roughly 600 meters beneath the surface, an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) filmed a translucent juvenile squid identified as Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. The footage was first reported by The Metro.
Although this specimen measured only about 30 centimeters in length due to its juvenile stage. Colossal squids are known to grow up to seven meters long and weigh as much as 500 kilograms, making them the heaviest invertebrates on Earth.
‘Thrilling and humbling’ moment for science
“This is the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal squid, and it’s both thrilling and humbling,” said Dr. Kat Bolstad of Auckland University of Technology, who helped authenticate the sighting. “They live in such deep, remote areas, it’s likely they don’t even know we exist.”
Until now, most knowledge of the colossal squid has come from decomposed remains found in the stomachs of sperm whales or dying specimens caught in deep-sea fishing nets. The ability to observe one alive, in its natural environment, represents a milestone in understanding a creature shrouded in scientific mystery.
Oceans still full of secrets
The colossal squid sighting comes on the heels of another rare deep-sea discovery. In January, the same research team captured the world’s first video footage of the glacial glass squid—another rarely seen species. These consecutive breakthroughs are shining a spotlight on how much of the ocean remains unexplored.
“These back-to-back sightings of two rare squid species underscore just how much of our oceans remain unexplored,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. “The ocean continues to reveal its wonders, and we are only just beginning to understand the diversity that lies beneath.”
As deep-sea exploration advances with cutting-edge robotic technology, scientists believe more of these stunning glimpses into the hidden life of the ocean could soon follow—rewriting what we know about Earth’s final frontier.
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