Overview

• Researchers filmed a 30-centimeter juvenile colossal squid at 600 meters depth near the Southern Sandwich Islands using the ROV SuBastian aboard the R/V Falkor.
• This marks the first live footage of the species (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), over 100 years after its scientific description.
• The squid’s identification was confirmed by distinctive hooks on its arms, distinguishing it from similar deep-sea species.
• The footage challenges the 'monster of the deep' stereotype, revealing a delicate, translucent appearance in the juvenile stage.
• The discovery highlights the transformative role of modern ROV technology and international collaborations in advancing deep-sea exploration.