Giant Squid Fast Facts

These fast facts about squids can be helpful in learning more about this sea-creature.

There are two squid species: Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni (colossal squid) and Architeutis dux (giant squid). As of date, both species are approximately of the same length; however it was last reported that the colossal squid was heavier.

The colossal squid has grappling hooks on its tentacles. It has two rows of hook-like swiveling suckers. The colossal squid also has a larger mantle, making it stouter and heavier than the giant squid. It has shorter tentacles than giant squid. It has larger eyes than giant squid.

The giant squid have small fins at the rear of the mantle. It has serrated and sharp suckers.

Description of the Specie
o largest cephalopod and mollusk among octopus, cuttlefish, squid
o largest known invertebrate

Where Can They Be
o Deep in the ocean, 700 to 3,300 feet "epipelagic" and "mesopelagic" zones
o bathyal zone which can be 13,300 feet deep
o northern Atlantic, from Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico
o northern Norway to the Azores
o northern Pacific from the Bering Sea to the Sea of Japan
o southern Japan
o Hawaii
o California
o Southern Ocean

Physical Appearance
o long torpedo shaped body
o powerful beak
o thick tentacles
o suckers with dangerous looking teeth
o large eyes about 18 inches across
o 5 pieces of arms

Personality
o aggressive hunters
o active
o intelligent
o elusive
o muscular
Proof: Its tentacles can wrap around the prey pulling them into their mouth.
Sucker-marks left on the bodies of their chief predator
The ink congeals into a squid-like shape that seizes the enemy's attention while the squid turns pale and jets away.

It ejects a dash of dark ink from the ink sac through the funnel
What They Eat
o Deep-sea fishes like orange ruffie, and hokie
o squids, deep-sea squids, other kinds of squid
o anything they want to since they're carnivorous
Movement

o Suck in water when mantle opens
o Shut mantle as the locking method
o Jet out water thru funnel/siphon.

First Sightings of Giant Squid
• French dispatch Steamer Alecton cruising Canary Islands in November 1861. A portion of tail is brought to French Academy of Sciences
• Three fishermen caught giant squid in Thimble Tickle Bay, Newfoundland on November 2, 1878
• An 18.5 meter giant squid was caught in New Zealand in 1880
• In 1925, the first colossal squid tentacle was found in the stomach of sperm whale
• Two lighthouse keepers watched a giant squid attack a baby whale. It was in Danger Point, South Africa on October 1966
• Soviet whaler witnessed a battle of giant squid and 40 ton sperm whale. Both were found floating in water.
• In 1981, a female colossal squid was caught by a Russian trawler in the Ross Sea
• In 2003 another female colossal squid was found on the surface of Ross Sea
• In March 2004, another giant squid named Archie was captured in Falkland Islands. It was later on placed in an acrylic tank at Natural history Museum
• In September 30, 2004, a Japanese team took pictures of giant squids in their habitat and was released a year after
• In 2005, another colossal squid was captured in South Georgia Island.
• In 2007, the largest colossal squid was caught by a crew of San Aspiring vessel. It was captured near Ross Sea and Antarctica. It can now be seen in New Zealand Museum. At first it was thought to be male but research revealed it was a female. Ovaries contained thousands of eggs after dissection.

Two Videos
• The first footage of live giant squid was in 2001. It was seen in Chasing Giants: On the Trail of the Giant Squid on the Discovery Channel.
• December 4, 2006, a Japanese team filmed giant squid