Overview
- The Schmidt Ocean Institute's ROV SuBastian filmed a 30 cm juvenile colossal squid at 600 meters depth on March 9, 2025, near the South Sandwich Islands.
- The footage, verified by experts Dr. Kat Bolstad and Dr. Aaron Evans, marks the first confirmed in-situ observation of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni in its natural habitat.
- Colossal squids, the heaviest invertebrates on Earth, can grow up to 7 meters in length and weigh as much as 500 kilograms, though much of their lifecycle remains a mystery.
- This discovery coincides with the 100th anniversary of the species' formal identification in 1925, highlighting a century of scientific curiosity about this elusive creature.
- The expedition also builds on recent breakthroughs, including the first live footage of the glacial glass squid in January, showcasing advancements in deep-sea exploration technology and global collaboration.