First-Ever Footage of Juvenile Colossal Squid Captured in Deep Sea, Fueling Hunt for Adults

An international research team has captured the first-ever deep-sea footage of a colossal squid. Using a remotely operated submersible, they filmed a juvenile squid at a depth of 1,968 feet (600 meters) in the South Atlantic Ocean. The sighting was announced by the Schmidt Ocean Institute on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in marine biology.

The squid, which was approximately 1 foot (30 centimeters) long, was discovered during an expedition aimed at uncovering new sea life near the South Sandwich Islands.

Colossal squids can grow up to 23 feet (7 meters) in length, roughly the size of a small fire truck. These squids are seldom seen in the wild, and their enormous size and mysterious characteristics have long intrigued scientists. Although the footage captured was of a juvenile, adult colossal squids have been discovered in the stomachs of whales and seabirds, offering valuable insights into their vast size and elusive nature.

Rare Sighting of Juvenile Colossal Squid Sparks Efforts to Capture Adult Specimens

The sighting of the young squid is a rare and exciting development for researchers, as colossal squids are notoriously difficult to observe in their natural deep-sea environment. The researchers took extra steps to confirm the squid’s identity with independent scientists before publicly releasing the footage. Kat Bolstad, a squid researcher at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, expressed her excitement about the discovery, emphasizing the beauty and uniqueness of the species.

In addition to celebrating this discovery, researchers are already working to improve their techniques for capturing even larger, adult specimens. The squid filmed is nearly transparent and has thin arms, a feature that changes as the squid matures.

As adults, colossal squids lose their glassy appearance and develop a dark red or purple color. Researchers are testing different camera technologies with the hope of eventually capturing footage of an adult colossal squid, potentially revealing even more about these mysterious deep-sea creatures.