The colossal squid, the heaviest invertebrate on Earth, has been filmed alive in the wild for the first time since its discovery 100 years ago. Captured near the South Sandwich Islands in the south Atlantic Ocean, a baby colossal squid was spotted swimming in its natural habitat, the deep sea.
Measuring up to 23ft long and weighing half a tonne, the giant squid is a mysterious creature that had only been seen in whale stomachs or fishermen’s nets. The footage, taken by an international team on board the research vessel Falkor, shows the juvenile squid with eight arms and sharp hooks on its tentacles.
The discovery has sparked excitement among scientists, who say it highlights the ocean’s many secrets waiting to be uncovered. “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,” said Dr Kat Bolstad, an expert consulted on the project.
The expedition was part of a collaboration between several organizations, including the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, and GoSouth. It marked the 100-year anniversary of the colossal squid’s identification and formal naming.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/16/colossal-squid-captured-on-video