First Live Footage of Colossal Squid Filmed in Deep Sea

A baby colossal squid was captured on video near the South Sandwich Islands, marking a historic milestone in marine exploration and deep-sea research.

The first confirmed live footage of a colossal squid, a juvenile measuring about one foot long, was captured on March 9, 2025.
The video was taken at a depth of approximately 2,000 feet near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean using the ROV SuBastian.
This discovery was part of the international Ocean Census expedition, which aims to document new marine species and expand understanding of ocean ecosystems.
Marine scientists, including Kat Bolstad from Auckland University of Technology, verified the squid's identification, noting its distinctive arm hooks and glowing red undercarriage.
The colossal squid, known for its role in Antarctic food webs, had previously only been studied through remains found in predator stomachs, making this live observation a groundbreaking achievement.