In a historic first for marine science, researchers have captured live footage of a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) in its natural deep-sea habitat. This extraordinary encounter, filmed at a depth of nearly 600 meters near the remote South Sandwich Islands, marks the first time scientists have observed this elusive giant cephalopod alive and in situ.
A Century-Old Mystery
The colossal squid was first described in 1925, after fishermen discovered partial remains in the stomach of a sperm whale near the South Shetland Islands. Despite its legendary status-often depicted as a monster of the deep-scientists have mostly known the species from dead specimens and remains found in the stomachs of predators. In the last hundred years, only eight adult colossal squids have been recovered, all postmortem.
The Breakthrough Expedition
On March 9, 2025, a team aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) deployed their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) SuBastian as part of an Ocean Census expedition. Their mission: to explore the mysterious waters around the South Sandwich Islands and search for new marine life. Instead, they made history by filming a juvenile colossal squid, measuring about one foot long-tiny compared to the species’ potential adult length of 6 to 7 meters (up to 23 feet) and weight exceeding 500 kilograms.
A Rare Glimpse at a Living Legend
The video footage reveals the young squid’s translucent body, allowing clear views of its internal organs and its enormous, reflective eyes-the largest eyes of any known animal. Its arms and tentacles are equipped with curved hooks, a defining feature of the species. The arms display a striking red coloration and chromatophores, suggesting the animal can shift between transparent and opaque states.
“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 of Auckland University of Technology, who helped verify the footage.
Why Has the Colossal Squid Eluded Cameras Until Now?
Experts believe the colossal squid’s rarity in live footage is due to its extreme sensitivity to light and noise, especially given its massive eyes. Most deep-sea exploration equipment is large, noisy, and uses bright lights, which may deter or even harm such elusive creatures.
Predators and Prey
Juvenile colossal squid are preyed upon by seabirds, marine mammals, and fish. As adults, their only known predators are sperm whales and sleeper sharks, though remains have also been found in toothfish stomachs-likely scavenged rather than hunted.
The Significance of the Discovery
This first live observation provides invaluable insight into the biology and behavior of one of the ocean’s most mysterious giants. As Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, remarked, “These unforgettable moments continue to remind us that the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved”.
The footage not only deepens scientific understanding but also underscores the vast unknowns that still exist in Earth’s oceans, inspiring further exploration and discovery.
For more information on these magnificent creatures visit Wikipedia – Colossal Squid.
Sources:
1 YouTube: Schmidt Ocean Institute – Colossal Squid, 1st Live Observation | Searching for New Species in the South Sandwich Islands
