Giant Squid Captured on Video in Deep-Sea Expedition
First-Ever Live Footage of the Colossal Squid and Antarctic Gonate Squid
The deep sea continues to reveal its mysteries, with recent discoveries providing the first-ever live footage of the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and the Antarctic gonate squid (Gonatus antarcticus).
The colossal squid, a legendary creature of the deep, was filmed as a juvenile about 30 cm long at a depth of 600 meters near the South Sandwich Islands. While it is known to grow up to seven meters long, its elusive nature and remote habitat make it difficult to observe. The footage was captured by the Schmidt Ocean Institute's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian, which explored the squid's habitat around 2,000 feet deep.
Meanwhile, the Antarctic gonate squid, first discovered in 1898, was filmed alive for the first time at around 7,000 feet depth in the Weddell Sea. This long-elusive squid had previously only been seen dead and stranded. The footage showed the squid exhibiting behaviors like releasing greenish ink, offering a rare glimpse into its lifestyle.
Regarding the glacial glass squid, no new specific discovery or footage was mentioned. However, the juvenile colossal squid was described as having a glass-like appearance, possibly relating to what might be called "glass squid" in some contexts.
These discoveries highlight ongoing progress in deep-sea biological exploration made possible by advanced remotely operated vehicles and submersibles. The sighting of the colossal squid was part of an Ocean Census flagship expedition aimed at cataloging deep-sea biodiversity.
In a significant development, on January 25, 2021, the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor (too) captured the first-ever footage of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. The glacial glass squid is known for its ghostly transparent body and signature "cockatoo pose."
The colossal squid grows into a massive creature, with eyes the size of basketballs and a potential weight of up to 1,100 pounds, making it the heaviest invertebrate on Earth. The Antarctic gonate squid, while not as large, is still a fascinating find, with its unique adaptations to the deep-sea environment.
These discoveries serve as a reminder of the vast and largely unexplored world that lies beneath the ocean's surface, and the ongoing efforts to uncover its secrets. As technology advances and exploration continues, who knows what other deep-sea denizens we may encounter in the future?
- Gizmodo published an article about the first-ever live footage of the colossal squid and Antarctic gonate squid, deep-sea creatures whose habitats were explored by the Schmidt Ocean Institute's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian.
- Technology has significantly contribution in the ongoing advancements in deep-sea biological exploration, as evidenced by the recent capture of the first-ever footage of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) by the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor.
- As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the deep sea, innovative technologies like those utilized by the Schmidt Ocean Institute will undoubtedly lead to more discoveries in environmental-science, such as the ongoing efforts to better understand the lives of rare squids like the colossal squid and the glacial glass squid.
