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First-Ever Footage of Live Colossal Squid Captured in the Deep Sea

A juvenile colossal squid was filmed near the South Sandwich Islands, marking the first in situ observation of the species since its discovery a century ago.

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first footage colossal squid
An image of a nearly one-foot-long colossal squid, which was caught on camera live for the first time in its natural environment in the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Overview

  • The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s ROV SuBastian recorded a 30 cm juvenile colossal squid on March 9, 2025, at a depth of 600 meters in the South Atlantic Ocean.
  • This is the first confirmed live footage of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, verified by experts through the squid's distinctive arm hooks.
  • The colossal squid, the heaviest invertebrate on Earth, can grow up to 7 meters in length and weigh as much as 500 kilograms.
  • The footage was part of a 35-day Ocean Census expedition, a collaboration between the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Nippon Foundation–Nekton, and GoSouth.
  • Scientists are refining deep-sea filming techniques to target adult colossal squids, which remain elusive due to their light and noise sensitivity.