Giant Squid Caught

The largest Colossal Squid was found in New Zealand by fishermen fishing in the Antarctic Ocean. The squid weighed over 900 lbs, and was found by fishermen who were fishing for toothfish in the cold waters. The fishermen said that when the squid was caught, it was in the middle of eating one such toothfish.

When the crew caught the giant squid, they stopped fishing and hauled the giant squid aboard the boat. They were gentle with the squid in order to keep it in good condition for research. After hauling it aboard, the squid was frozen in the hull of the ship in order to keep it in good condition for the scientific research.

The reason for the importance of this find is the information which can be gathered about the deep ocean in examining this creature. This creature, and other creatures of the deep ocean, are currently mysterious to scientists. Little is known about their lifestyle including how large they can get. This is due to the impossibility of first-hand research of the deep ocean due to the immense pressure of that depth.

The Colossal Squid is unique in the sharp swiveling hooks of its tentacles as well as the largeness of its beak. With this particular squid, experts said, if calamari were made of its rings would be the size of tractor tires. These squid have a depth range of at least 2200 meters, and occupy the large range of the entire circumantarctic Southern Ocean.

The species was first discovered in 1925. The only parts of it found at this time were the tentacles found inside of a whale. Another sighting occurred in 1981 by a Russian in the Ross Sea. In 2003 a complete specimen was found, and in 2005 a specimen was captured (although not brought aboard) in the same way as this one- while fishing for toothfish.