Discovery of Giant Squid

Giant squid have been the stuff of myths and legends for thousands of years. Known as the Kraken by the Norse mythologies, the giant squid has been reported as far back as the 1200s. The first scientific studies began to be made in the late 17th century as specimens that were washed ashore were identified as such, rather then just being labeled as sea monsters. Since then there have been many specimens or partial specimens that have been washed ashore for scientists to study at length, leading to a lot more being known about the giant squid and its equally mysterious cousin the colossal squid.

The colossal squid and the giant squid are actually two different creatures. Most people might tend to think they are the same thing, but in reality there are quite a few differences, The colossal squid for example is bigger then the giant squid, and has a different body shape as well. The giant squid is thinner and has longer tentacles, where the colossal squid has a thicker, denser body and shorter tentacles. The colossal has only been even seen a few times, and never filmed in the wild either. Also the colossal squid has hooks on its tentacle suckers whereas the giant squid has circular teeth on its suckers.

Both the colossal and giant squids live at the ocean depths, and both are eaten regularly by sperm whales. Sperm whales often bearing battle scars from encounters with both types as well. The Giant squid is also preyed upon by some species of sharks, and the smaller specimens by other predators such as Elephant seals as well. They can reach somewhere in the region of 20 meters for larger specimens, so they aren't easy for any predator to catch. As well as this they are very fast in the water as all squid tend to be.

The giant squid feeds primarily on smaller squid and several larger fish species. It captures these by wrapping them in its tentacles and using its suckers to cut into them, before ripping them to pieces. It then puts the pieces in its mouth using the tentacles. If the prey is large or still struggling then the razor sharp beak that all giant squid have slices the prey into smaller pieces prior do digestion.