In brief
In a groundbreaking moment for marine science, a juvenile colossal squid was observed in its natural habitat near the South Sandwich Islands. This event marks a significant achievement in the study of a species that has remained elusive for a century.
In March, Kathrin S.R. Bolstad returned from an Antarctic expedition where she employed a new camera system designed to search for the elusive colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. Although she did not manage to spot one herself, the expedition yielded significant findings. Shortly after her departure, Bolstad was alerted to a recent video dated March 9, capturing a young colossal squid near the South Sandwich Islands. This video, recorded by a dive team using a Schmidt Ocean Institute submersible, featured the juvenile measuring approximately 30 centimeters long, with a transparent body adorned with delicate arms and distinct brown spots.Dr. Bolstad, a cephalopod biologist at Auckland University of Technology, expressed excitement over the footage. "Pretty much as soon as I saw the footage, I knew there was a good chance," she remarked. The colossal squid, formally described 100 years ago, can grow to over 20 feet in length, making it larger than the giant squid and the biggest invertebrate on Earth. This sighting adds valuable insight into the life of one of the ocean's most mysterious inhabitants.
