Marine scientists have taken the first shot of a giant squid swimming freely in a natural habitat that the species has been discovered for nearly a century. The feat was achieved by researchers aboard the Schmidt Marine Institute’s research vessel Falkor. Read more here.
Marine scientists have taken the first shot of a giant squid swimming freely in a natural habitat that the species has been discovered for nearly a century. According to a report from the Metro, the Schmidt Marine Institute research vessel Falkor achieved its first feat on an expedition between Argentina and Antarctica waters.
The report said the footage of the teenage squid was about 30 cm, shot near the South Sandwich Islands on March 9, at a depth of about 600 meters, using remotely operated underwater vehicles.
The scientific name of the giant squid is Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, which was previously only found as a residue from a whale’s stomach or a dying specimen pulled up by a fishing boat. Its discovery in March marks the first time it has been observed in its natural deep-sea environment.
In a video released by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the giant squid is still transparent due to its young age and can glide in the dark ocean using its long antennae. As it matures, it will be as long as seven meters in length and weigh nearly 500 kilograms. As we all know, the giant squid is the heaviest invertebrate on Earth.
Another unique feature of the massive squid is the presence of a rotating hook on its arms that distinguishes it from other glass squid species.
“Seeing the live footage and humility of the first teenager’s giant squid, thinking they didn’t know human existence,” said Dr. Kat Bolstad, a researcher at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
In the same adventure series, scientists also captured the first shot of the glacier glass squid in January, another rare deep-sea species.
“The ocean continues to reveal its wonders, and we’re just beginning to understand the diversity below,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Marine Institute.
