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First Live Footage of Colossal Squid Captured in Deep Ocean

A juvenile colossal squid was filmed for the first time at 600 meters near the South Sandwich Islands, providing unprecedented insights into the elusive species' natural behavior.

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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 footage, recorded on March 9, 2025, marks the first confirmed live observation of a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) in its natural habitat, 100 years after the species was first identified.
  • The juvenile squid, measuring just 30 centimeters, was filmed by the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian during an Ocean Census expedition aboard the research vessel Falkor (too).
  • Experts verified the specimen based on distinctive mid-arm hooks, a characteristic unique to the colossal squid, differentiating it from similar species like the glacial glass squid.
  • The discovery highlights the challenges of deep-sea exploration, as colossal squids are adept at avoiding detection in the vast, dark, and remote Southern Ocean environment.
  • This breakthrough underscores the importance of advanced submersible technology and international collaboration in expanding our understanding of deep-sea biodiversity.