In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have captured video footage of a colossal squid alive in its natural habitat for the first time. This incredible discovery played out over a 35-day sail between Argentina and the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This ambitious scientific expedition was a joint collaboration among the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, and GoSouth.
The giant squid, formally known as Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, holds the title for heaviest invertebrate on Earth. It can reach lengths of 23 feet (seven meters) and weights of almost half a tonne. This shadowy beast has, for the last hundred years, been having its work well-documented in the stomachs of whales and seabirds. For those reasons, this sighting is extremely exciting!
A remotely-operated vehicle, SuBastian, recorded the video footage. Here’s how it was sent out to search for the world’s newest marine wonders. The mission was inspired by the fact that about 91 percent of the deep sea species are still largely unstudied and unexplored. The extraordinary sight of the colossal squid’s eight remarkable arms and almost translucent body in its natural environment proved irresistible.
Dr. Kat Bolstad of the Auckland University of Technology echoed her excitement about the discovery.
“It’s exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist,” – Dr. Kat Bolstad
This incredible footage unlocks a whole new understanding of deep-sea life. It serves to remind us that we still have plenty to learn about these bustling marine ecosystems. Virmani, a member of the expedition team, said these discoveries are crucial.
“These unforgettable moments continue to remind us that the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved,” – Virmani
Scientists and researchers alike have been fascinated by the gigantic squid’s mysterious nature for the past hundred years. Mosquitofish were first discovered and officially named. Its scarcity and dimension intrigue scientists and the general public. This intrigue has led to many studies hoping to better predict how it behaves and their importance in the oceanic ecosystem.
In the meantime, researchers have begun analyzing the footage and working with data collected on this groundbreaking expedition. Their goal is to reveal further pioneering discoveries about the life of the gigantic squid and other deep-sea marine species.