Colossal squid sighted near the
Ross Ice Shelf on 8 January 2007 (
#18 on this list). The animal is seen here with its
limbs wrapped around a
Patagonian toothfish caught on a
longline. Note the orange-red skin and the single
arm extended above the water's surface, displaying the hooked medial
suckers that are the source of the
generic name Mesonychoteuthis (meso- = middle, onycho- = nail, claw).
This list of colossal squid specimens and sightings is a timeline of recorded human encounters with members of the
genusMesonychoteuthis, popularly known as
colossal squid. It includes animals that were caught by fishermen, recovered (in whole or in part) from
sperm whales and other predatory species, as well as those reliably sighted at sea. The list also covers specimens misidentified as colossal squid.
Background
Published coordinates of colossal squid specimens (may be subject to significant
rounding error) Download coordinates as:KML
The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), which has a circum-
Antarctic distribution in the
Southern Ocean, is far less known than the distantly related, near-cosmopolitan
giant squid (Architeuthis dux). Though a substantial number of colossal squid specimens have been recorded, the vast majority of these are only fragmentary remains such as disarticulated
beaks.
Xavier et al. (1999) collated 188 geographical positions for whole or partial specimens caught by commercial and scientific fisheries, but very few mature animals have ever been documented.
O'Shea & Bolstad (2008) found 11 reports in which adult or subadult specimens had been described, and mentioned that at least 7 additional, "similarly sized" specimens were known to them;
McClain et al. (2015) stated that only 12 "complete" specimens were known.
Colossal squid caught off
South Georgia Island on 25 June 2005 (
#17), possibly the first to be filmed alive. Note the uniformly dark skin pigmentation in contrast to the 2008 specimen.
Early specimens
The earliest known specimens of this species are two
brachial crowns (
#1) recovered from the stomach of a
sperm whale in the winter of 1924–1925, on the basis of which
Guy Coburn Robsonformally describedMesonychoteuthis hamiltoni in 1925.[1] Apart from two partial specimens (
#2 and
3) recovered from sperm whale stomachs in the mid-1950s—initially misidentified as belonging to the giant squid genus, Architeuthis[2]—and a single juvenile individual of 86 mm (3.4 in)
mantle length (
#4),[3] little else was known about the species until additional specimens began receiving coverage in Russian-language scientific journals in the 1970s.[4] In 1981, a
Soviet trawler operating off
Dronning Maud Land,
Antarctica, retrieved a complete specimen (
#9) with a mantle length of 2.42 m (7.9 ft) and total length of 5.1 m (17 ft) from a depth of 750–770 m, which was later identified as an immature female of M. hamiltoni.[5]
Emergence from obscurity
It would be more than two decades before another giant individual was collected:[6] in March 2003, a complete specimen of a subadult female (
#14) was found near the surface in the
Ross Sea. It weighed some 300 kg (660 lb), with a total length of around 5.4 m (18 ft) and mantle length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft).[7] It was this specimen that led
teuthologistSteve O'Shea to coin the
common name "colossal squid".[8] A much smaller immature female (
#15) was taken by trawl at 1,143 m (3,750 ft) depth off
Macquarie Island the same year.[9] On 25 June 2005, a specimen was captured alive at a depth of 1,625 m (5,331 ft) while taking
Patagonian toothfish from a
longline in
South Georgian waters (
#17). Although the heavy mantle could not be brought aboard, the total length was estimated at around 5 m (16 ft) and the animal is thought to have weighed between 150 and 200 kg (330 and 440 lb).[10] It was filmed alive at the surface.[11]
Largest known specimen
The giant specimen filmed at the surface in the
D'Urville Sea in January 2008 (
#21). Note the greatly distended mantle and oversized fins. The animal
turned maroon upon being pulled to the surface, but soon returned to the pale pink seen here.[12] It has been suggested that this might be the animal's typical colouration, with the more commonly seen reddish tones representing a
stress response.[13][nb 1]
The largest known complete specimen of the colossal squid—and the
heaviest recorded extant cephalopod—was a mature female (
#19) captured in the
Ross Sea in February 2007. Its weight was initially estimated at 450 kg (990 lb), its mantle length at 4 m (13 ft), and its total length at 8–10 m (26–33 ft).[15] Once completely thawed the specimen was found to weigh 495 kg (1,091 lb), but to measure only 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in mantle length and 4.2 m (14 ft) in total length.[16][nb 2] It is likely that the specimen, and particularly its tentacles, shrank considerably post mortem as a result of dehydration, having been kept in a freezer for 14 months.[nb 3] Both this and the 2003 specimen received significant media attention and did much to bring the species to public prominence; the following years saw a number of individuals of the more commonly encountered giant squid misidentified as colossal squid (e.g.
#[1] and
[2]).
Later developments
Perhaps the best video of a live colossal squid is that of an animal (
#21) recorded at the surface in the
D'Urville Sea off Antarctica in January 2008.[21] The squid was pulled to the surface feeding on a line-caught
toothfish. The video is likely the first to show a colossal squid swimming freely, and records the animal performing a slow roll on its longitudinal axis. Initially light-coloured, the squid quickly
turned blood red (possibly a
stress response) before returning to a light pink after lingering at the surface for a short time, thence slowly retreated to deeper water.[22]
Since then, several more colossal squid have been filmed or photographed alive at the surface. But as far as is publicly known, the colossal squid has never been observed alive in its natural, deep-water habitat, although
a number of such recordings of the giant squid have been made in recent years.[25] As such, it is the only known extant species of
truly giant (>50 kg [110 lb]) cephalopod that has never been filmed in its natural habitat.[nb 4]
List of colossal squid
Records are listed chronologically in ascending order and numbered accordingly. This numbering is not meant to be definitive but rather to provide a convenient means of referring to individual records. Specimens incorrectly identified as colossal squid are counted separately, their numbers enclosed in square brackets, and are highlighted in pink (). Records that cover multiple colossal squid specimens, or remains of more than a single animal (e.g. two lower beaks), have the '
Material cited' cell highlighted in grey (). Animals that were photographed or filmed while alive are highlighted in yellow (). Where a record falls into more than one of these categories, a combination of shadings is used. Where an image of a specimen is available this is indicated by a camera symbol (📷) that links to the image.
Date – Date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed. Where this is unknown, the date on which the specimen was first reported is listed instead and noted as such. All times are
local.
Location – Site where the specimen was found, including coordinates and depth information where available. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s), except where additional information is provided in square brackets. The quadrant of a major ocean in which the specimen was found is given in curly brackets (e.g. {SEA}; see
Oceanic sectors).
Nature of encounter – Circumstances in which the specimen was recovered or observed. Given as they appear in the cited reference(s).
Identification – Species- or
genus-level taxon to which the specimen was assigned. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s). Listed chronologically if specimen was re-identified. Where only a
vernacular name has been applied to the specimen (e.g. "colossal squid" or a non-English equivalent), this is given instead.
Beak of a colossal squid from the
Amundsen Sea off
Antarctica. Being more-or-less indigestible, beaks are often the only identifiable colossal squid remains found in the stomachs of predatory species such as
sperm whales. The colossal squid has the largest beak among living cephalopods,[27] with a
lower rostral length around twice that of the giant squid.[28]
Material cited – Original specimen material that was recovered or observed. "Entire" encompasses all more-or-less complete specimens. Names of anatomical features are retained from original sources (e.g. "jaws" may be given instead of the preferred "
beak", or "body" instead of "
mantle"). The specimen's state of preservation is also given, where known, and any missing parts enumerated.
Material saved – Material that was kept after examination and not discarded (if any). Information may be derived from outdated sources and therefore not current; the material may no longer be extant.
Sex – Sex and sexual maturity of the specimen.
Size and measurements – Data relating to measurements and counts. Abbreviations used are based on standardised acronyms in
teuthology (see
Measurements), with the exception of several found in older references. Measurements are given as they appear in the cited reference(s), with both
arithmetic precision and original units preserved (though
metricconversions are shown alongside
imperial measurements).
Main references – The most important sources, typically ones that provide extensive data on a particular specimen (often
primary sources). Presented in
author–date parenthetical referencing style, with page numbers included where applicable (page numbers in square brackets refer either to unpaginated works or English translations of originally non-English works; see
Full citations). Figures ("figs.") and plates ("pls.") are also indicated where present.
Additional references – Less important references that merely refer to the specimen without imparting substantive additional information (see
Full citations), except where such are the only available sources, in which case they are listed under 'Main references'. Includes possibly unobtainable sources such as old newspaper articles and television broadcasts.
Notes – Miscellaneous information, often including individuals and
vessels involved in the specimen's recovery and subsequent treatment, and any dissections, preservation work or scientific analyses carried out on the specimen. Where animals have been recorded while alive this is also noted. Material not referable to the genus Mesonychoteuthis, as well as specimens on public display, are both highlighted in bold (as "Non-mesonychoteuthid" and "On public display", respectively), though the latter information may no longer be current.
Wood (1982:191) provided the following details: "Dr
Anna M Bidder (pers. comm.) of the Department of Zoology at
Cambridge University, possesses a transverse slice of the
pen of another Mesonychoteuthis which, judging by its width, must have come from a
cranchid [sic] measuring at least 5 m [16 ft] in mantle length." The same information is summarised by
Bright (1989:146).
M. hamiltoni beaks were found in 61.1% (22/36) of
sleeper sharks examined. Beaks of this species accounted for 16.1% (89/553) of total recovered cephalopod beaks. M. hamiltoni accounted for 52.0% (1133621/2180535 g) of total reconstituted cephalopod biomass.
Caught by longliner Isla Santa Clara. Five men, including the ship's scientific observer, attempted to bring the squid aboard. Paul McCarthy, the scientific observer, estimated the length and weight of the squid. Specimen was sent to King Edward Point (KEP) Scientists for formal identification. Filmed at the surface by Ramon Ferreira Gomez; possibly first colossal squid to be filmed alive.
On public display. First mature specimen ever recovered and largest extant cephalopod scientifically documented. Caught by
New Zealand (Sanford Ltd.) vessel San Aspiring while fishing for
Antarctic toothfish.
Filmed alive at surface. Placed in cargo net and brought aboard using crane (see
video). Weight initially estimated at 450 kg, mantle length at 4 m, and total length at 8–10 m. Tentacles and eyes shrunk considerably post mortem. Thawed and examined by
Steve O'Shea, Kat Bolstad, and
Tsunemi Kubodera at
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Featured in
Discovery Channel program "Colossal Squid" (see
clip). Most popular exhibit at
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[30] Featured in Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep,[31] winner of 2021
Whitley Award for Best Children's Book.[32]
Filmed alive at surface feeding on
toothfish, which it released after being prodded with long pole;
changed colour while lingering at surface, before slowly retreating to deeper water
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
Entire
None
Estimates by eye-witness Alexander Vagin, quoted in
[Anonymous] (2013): ML: ~4 m; MW: ≥0.5 m; WL: >5 m
Seen alive at surface by Russian scientists (including Ivan Istomin and Alexander Vagin) on South Korean research vessel during mission to study
toothfish;
filmed by Istomin. Recorded in 2008 but only made public in 2013; widely reported in English-language media only in 2015. Specimen pulled from depths feeding on line-caught toothfish. Video shows squid
changing colour from initial deep red (possibly a
stress response) to light pink. Widely misreported as "giant squid".[33]
Non-mesonychoteuthid. Misidentified as a "colossal squid" in some media reports. Reportedly largest recorded giant squid specimen from Australian waters. Capture of squid described by skipper Rangi Pene. Public dissection took place at
Melbourne Museum on 17 July 2008, carried out by team of experts led by
Mark Norman.
Non-mesonychoteuthid. Initially identified as a colossal squid by Department of Conservation Wellington area manager, Rob Stone. Correct identification by
Te Papa communications manager, Jane Kieg. Te Papa only interested in beak for examination due to poor condition of specimen; probably attacked at sea.
Collected by
NIWA during the New Zealand–Australia Antarctic Ecosystems Voyage (29 January – 11 March 2015). Frozen on board ship; later examined at the
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa by Kat Bolstad and Aaron Boyd Evans. Characteristic hook and sucker combination already discernible on arms.
The following abbreviations are used in the List of colossal squid table.
Oceanic sectors
M. hamiltoni has a circumpolar
Antarctic distribution.
SWA, Southwest Atlantic Ocean
SEA, Southeast Atlantic Ocean
SWP, Southwest Pacific Ocean
SEP, Southeast Pacific Ocean
SIO, Southern Indian Ocean
Measurements
Abbreviations used for measurements and counts are based on standardised acronyms in
teuthology, primarily those defined by
Roper & Voss (1983), with the exception of several found in older references.
ED, egg diameter
EL, "entire" length (end of tentacle(s), often stretched, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to WL, measured from end of arms to posterior tip of tail)
EyD, eye diameter
FL, fin length
FW, fin width
HL, head length (most often base of arms to edge of mantle)
HW, head width
LD, lens diameter
LRL, lower rostral length of beak
ML, mantle length (used only where stated as such)
MW, maximum mantle width (used only where stated as such)
WL, "whole" length (end of arms, often damaged, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to EL, measured from end of tentacles to posterior tip of tail)
The number directly below each image corresponds to the specimen or sighting, in the List of colossal squid, that the image depicts. The date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed is also given.
Two-part beak of a colossal squid exhibited during the NHM's Spirit Collection Tour
Another colossal squid beak on display as part of the NHM's Spirit Collection Tour (see also
alternate view)
A "very large dark beak" of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni on display at the NHM's
Darwin Centre
Notes
^Similar near-white colouration was seen in the first habitat footage of both the giant squid and Kondakovia longimana (giant warty squid), much to the surprise of experts, as dead or dying specimens of these species likewise have reddish skin.[14]
^The fins of the 2007 Ross Sea specimen measured around 1.2 m (3.9 ft) across and it had a mantle width of 98.2 cm (3.22 ft).[17] The arms ranged in length from 0.85 m (2.8 ft) to 1.15 m (3.8 ft), while the two tentacles were around 2.1 m (6.9 ft) long.[18]
Aldridge, A.E. (2009). Can beak shape help to research the life history of squid? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research43(5): 1061–1067.
doi:
10.1080/00288330.2009.9626529
Clarke, M.R. (1986). A Handbook for the Identification of Cephalopod Beaks. Clarendon Press, Oxford. xiii + 273 pp.
ISBN0-19-857603-X.
Clarke, M.R. & N. Goodall (1994). Cephalopods in the diets of three odontocete cetacean species stranded at Tierra del Fuego, Globicephala melaena (Traill, 1809), Hyperoodon planifrons Flower, 1882 and Cephalorhynchus commersonii (Lacepede, 1804). Antarctic Science6(2): 149–154.
doi:
10.1017/S0954102094000234
Guerrero-Kommritz, J. (2011). Seasonal distribution of early life stages in squid of the Lazarev Sea, Antarctica. Antarctic Science23(1)[Feb.]: 93–94.
doi:
10.1017/S0954102010000672
Klumov, S.K. & V.L. Yukhov (1975). Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925 (Cephalopoda, Oegopsida) i ego znatchenie v pitanii kashalota antarckticheskih vod. [Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925 (Cephalopoda, Oegopsida) and its significance to feeding of sperm whales in Antarctic waters.] Antarktika: Doklady Komissi14: 159–189. [English translation: TT 81-59176, Al Ahram Center for Scientific Translations.] (in Russian)
Komoda, M. & M. Mizunuma (directors) (2019). Hunt for the Giant Squid. [documentary film]
NHK and
National Geographic. 44 mins.
Korabelnikov, L.V. (1959). The diet of sperm whales in the Antarctic seas. Priroda3:103-104, 5 figures. (in Russian)
Kubodera, T. (1995). 大型イカ--マッコウクジラの胃内容から. [Giant squid from sperm whale stomach contents.] Aquabiology17(6): 482–487.
NAID40004392241(in Japanese)
Leviton, A.E. & F.H. Gibbs Jr. (1988). Standards in herpetology and ichthyology. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Supplement No. 1: Additions and corrections. Copeia1988(1): 28–228.
Leviton, A.E., F.H. Gibbs Jr., E. Heal & C.D. Dawson (1985). Standards in herpetology and ichthyology: Part I. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Copeia 1985(3): 802–832.
Pollock, K. (2010).
The day a squid came to town. Signposts: A blog about the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 16 August 2010.
Prince, P.A. (1980). The food and feeding ecology of Grey‐headed Albatross Diomedea chrysostoma and Black‐browed Albatross D. melanophris. Ibis122(4)[Oct.]: 476–488.
doi:
10.1111/j.1474-919x.1980.tb00902.x
Remeslo, A.V., M.R. Yakushev & V. Laptikhovsky (2015). Alien vs. Predator: interactions between the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni). Journal of Natural History49(41–42): 2483–2491.
doi:
10.1080/00222933.2015.1040477
Remeslo, A.V., V.L. Yukhov, K. Bolstad & V. Laptikhovsky (2019). Distribution and biology of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni: new data from depredation in toothfish fisheries and sperm whale stomach contents. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers147: 121–127.
doi:
10.1016/j.dsr.2019.04.008
Rodhouse, P.G. &
M.R. Clarke (1985). Growth and distribution of young Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson (Mollusca: Cephalopoda): an Antarctic squid. Vie Milieu35(3/4):223–230.
Rosa, R., V.M. Lopes, M. Guerreiro, K. Bolstad & J.C. Xavier (2017). Biology and ecology of the world's largest invertebrate, the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni): a short review. Polar Biology40(9): 1871–1883.
doi:
10.1007/s00300-017-2104-5
Colossal squid sighted near the
Ross Ice Shelf on 8 January 2007 (
#18 on this list). The animal is seen here with its
limbs wrapped around a
Patagonian toothfish caught on a
longline. Note the orange-red skin and the single
arm extended above the water's surface, displaying the hooked medial
suckers that are the source of the
generic name Mesonychoteuthis (meso- = middle, onycho- = nail, claw).
This list of colossal squid specimens and sightings is a timeline of recorded human encounters with members of the
genusMesonychoteuthis, popularly known as
colossal squid. It includes animals that were caught by fishermen, recovered (in whole or in part) from
sperm whales and other predatory species, as well as those reliably sighted at sea. The list also covers specimens misidentified as colossal squid.
Background
Published coordinates of colossal squid specimens (may be subject to significant
rounding error) Download coordinates as:KML
The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), which has a circum-
Antarctic distribution in the
Southern Ocean, is far less known than the distantly related, near-cosmopolitan
giant squid (Architeuthis dux). Though a substantial number of colossal squid specimens have been recorded, the vast majority of these are only fragmentary remains such as disarticulated
beaks.
Xavier et al. (1999) collated 188 geographical positions for whole or partial specimens caught by commercial and scientific fisheries, but very few mature animals have ever been documented.
O'Shea & Bolstad (2008) found 11 reports in which adult or subadult specimens had been described, and mentioned that at least 7 additional, "similarly sized" specimens were known to them;
McClain et al. (2015) stated that only 12 "complete" specimens were known.
Colossal squid caught off
South Georgia Island on 25 June 2005 (
#17), possibly the first to be filmed alive. Note the uniformly dark skin pigmentation in contrast to the 2008 specimen.
Early specimens
The earliest known specimens of this species are two
brachial crowns (
#1) recovered from the stomach of a
sperm whale in the winter of 1924–1925, on the basis of which
Guy Coburn Robsonformally describedMesonychoteuthis hamiltoni in 1925.[1] Apart from two partial specimens (
#2 and
3) recovered from sperm whale stomachs in the mid-1950s—initially misidentified as belonging to the giant squid genus, Architeuthis[2]—and a single juvenile individual of 86 mm (3.4 in)
mantle length (
#4),[3] little else was known about the species until additional specimens began receiving coverage in Russian-language scientific journals in the 1970s.[4] In 1981, a
Soviet trawler operating off
Dronning Maud Land,
Antarctica, retrieved a complete specimen (
#9) with a mantle length of 2.42 m (7.9 ft) and total length of 5.1 m (17 ft) from a depth of 750–770 m, which was later identified as an immature female of M. hamiltoni.[5]
Emergence from obscurity
It would be more than two decades before another giant individual was collected:[6] in March 2003, a complete specimen of a subadult female (
#14) was found near the surface in the
Ross Sea. It weighed some 300 kg (660 lb), with a total length of around 5.4 m (18 ft) and mantle length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft).[7] It was this specimen that led
teuthologistSteve O'Shea to coin the
common name "colossal squid".[8] A much smaller immature female (
#15) was taken by trawl at 1,143 m (3,750 ft) depth off
Macquarie Island the same year.[9] On 25 June 2005, a specimen was captured alive at a depth of 1,625 m (5,331 ft) while taking
Patagonian toothfish from a
longline in
South Georgian waters (
#17). Although the heavy mantle could not be brought aboard, the total length was estimated at around 5 m (16 ft) and the animal is thought to have weighed between 150 and 200 kg (330 and 440 lb).[10] It was filmed alive at the surface.[11]
Largest known specimen
The giant specimen filmed at the surface in the
D'Urville Sea in January 2008 (
#21). Note the greatly distended mantle and oversized fins. The animal
turned maroon upon being pulled to the surface, but soon returned to the pale pink seen here.[12] It has been suggested that this might be the animal's typical colouration, with the more commonly seen reddish tones representing a
stress response.[13][nb 1]
The largest known complete specimen of the colossal squid—and the
heaviest recorded extant cephalopod—was a mature female (
#19) captured in the
Ross Sea in February 2007. Its weight was initially estimated at 450 kg (990 lb), its mantle length at 4 m (13 ft), and its total length at 8–10 m (26–33 ft).[15] Once completely thawed the specimen was found to weigh 495 kg (1,091 lb), but to measure only 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in mantle length and 4.2 m (14 ft) in total length.[16][nb 2] It is likely that the specimen, and particularly its tentacles, shrank considerably post mortem as a result of dehydration, having been kept in a freezer for 14 months.[nb 3] Both this and the 2003 specimen received significant media attention and did much to bring the species to public prominence; the following years saw a number of individuals of the more commonly encountered giant squid misidentified as colossal squid (e.g.
#[1] and
[2]).
Later developments
Perhaps the best video of a live colossal squid is that of an animal (
#21) recorded at the surface in the
D'Urville Sea off Antarctica in January 2008.[21] The squid was pulled to the surface feeding on a line-caught
toothfish. The video is likely the first to show a colossal squid swimming freely, and records the animal performing a slow roll on its longitudinal axis. Initially light-coloured, the squid quickly
turned blood red (possibly a
stress response) before returning to a light pink after lingering at the surface for a short time, thence slowly retreated to deeper water.[22]
Since then, several more colossal squid have been filmed or photographed alive at the surface. But as far as is publicly known, the colossal squid has never been observed alive in its natural, deep-water habitat, although
a number of such recordings of the giant squid have been made in recent years.[25] As such, it is the only known extant species of
truly giant (>50 kg [110 lb]) cephalopod that has never been filmed in its natural habitat.[nb 4]
List of colossal squid
Records are listed chronologically in ascending order and numbered accordingly. This numbering is not meant to be definitive but rather to provide a convenient means of referring to individual records. Specimens incorrectly identified as colossal squid are counted separately, their numbers enclosed in square brackets, and are highlighted in pink (). Records that cover multiple colossal squid specimens, or remains of more than a single animal (e.g. two lower beaks), have the '
Material cited' cell highlighted in grey (). Animals that were photographed or filmed while alive are highlighted in yellow (). Where a record falls into more than one of these categories, a combination of shadings is used. Where an image of a specimen is available this is indicated by a camera symbol (📷) that links to the image.
Date – Date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed. Where this is unknown, the date on which the specimen was first reported is listed instead and noted as such. All times are
local.
Location – Site where the specimen was found, including coordinates and depth information where available. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s), except where additional information is provided in square brackets. The quadrant of a major ocean in which the specimen was found is given in curly brackets (e.g. {SEA}; see
Oceanic sectors).
Nature of encounter – Circumstances in which the specimen was recovered or observed. Given as they appear in the cited reference(s).
Identification – Species- or
genus-level taxon to which the specimen was assigned. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s). Listed chronologically if specimen was re-identified. Where only a
vernacular name has been applied to the specimen (e.g. "colossal squid" or a non-English equivalent), this is given instead.
Beak of a colossal squid from the
Amundsen Sea off
Antarctica. Being more-or-less indigestible, beaks are often the only identifiable colossal squid remains found in the stomachs of predatory species such as
sperm whales. The colossal squid has the largest beak among living cephalopods,[27] with a
lower rostral length around twice that of the giant squid.[28]
Material cited – Original specimen material that was recovered or observed. "Entire" encompasses all more-or-less complete specimens. Names of anatomical features are retained from original sources (e.g. "jaws" may be given instead of the preferred "
beak", or "body" instead of "
mantle"). The specimen's state of preservation is also given, where known, and any missing parts enumerated.
Material saved – Material that was kept after examination and not discarded (if any). Information may be derived from outdated sources and therefore not current; the material may no longer be extant.
Sex – Sex and sexual maturity of the specimen.
Size and measurements – Data relating to measurements and counts. Abbreviations used are based on standardised acronyms in
teuthology (see
Measurements), with the exception of several found in older references. Measurements are given as they appear in the cited reference(s), with both
arithmetic precision and original units preserved (though
metricconversions are shown alongside
imperial measurements).
Main references – The most important sources, typically ones that provide extensive data on a particular specimen (often
primary sources). Presented in
author–date parenthetical referencing style, with page numbers included where applicable (page numbers in square brackets refer either to unpaginated works or English translations of originally non-English works; see
Full citations). Figures ("figs.") and plates ("pls.") are also indicated where present.
Additional references – Less important references that merely refer to the specimen without imparting substantive additional information (see
Full citations), except where such are the only available sources, in which case they are listed under 'Main references'. Includes possibly unobtainable sources such as old newspaper articles and television broadcasts.
Notes – Miscellaneous information, often including individuals and
vessels involved in the specimen's recovery and subsequent treatment, and any dissections, preservation work or scientific analyses carried out on the specimen. Where animals have been recorded while alive this is also noted. Material not referable to the genus Mesonychoteuthis, as well as specimens on public display, are both highlighted in bold (as "Non-mesonychoteuthid" and "On public display", respectively), though the latter information may no longer be current.
Wood (1982:191) provided the following details: "Dr
Anna M Bidder (pers. comm.) of the Department of Zoology at
Cambridge University, possesses a transverse slice of the
pen of another Mesonychoteuthis which, judging by its width, must have come from a
cranchid [sic] measuring at least 5 m [16 ft] in mantle length." The same information is summarised by
Bright (1989:146).
M. hamiltoni beaks were found in 61.1% (22/36) of
sleeper sharks examined. Beaks of this species accounted for 16.1% (89/553) of total recovered cephalopod beaks. M. hamiltoni accounted for 52.0% (1133621/2180535 g) of total reconstituted cephalopod biomass.
Caught by longliner Isla Santa Clara. Five men, including the ship's scientific observer, attempted to bring the squid aboard. Paul McCarthy, the scientific observer, estimated the length and weight of the squid. Specimen was sent to King Edward Point (KEP) Scientists for formal identification. Filmed at the surface by Ramon Ferreira Gomez; possibly first colossal squid to be filmed alive.
On public display. First mature specimen ever recovered and largest extant cephalopod scientifically documented. Caught by
New Zealand (Sanford Ltd.) vessel San Aspiring while fishing for
Antarctic toothfish.
Filmed alive at surface. Placed in cargo net and brought aboard using crane (see
video). Weight initially estimated at 450 kg, mantle length at 4 m, and total length at 8–10 m. Tentacles and eyes shrunk considerably post mortem. Thawed and examined by
Steve O'Shea, Kat Bolstad, and
Tsunemi Kubodera at
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Featured in
Discovery Channel program "Colossal Squid" (see
clip). Most popular exhibit at
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.[30] Featured in Whiti: Colossal Squid of the Deep,[31] winner of 2021
Whitley Award for Best Children's Book.[32]
Filmed alive at surface feeding on
toothfish, which it released after being prodded with long pole;
changed colour while lingering at surface, before slowly retreating to deeper water
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
Entire
None
Estimates by eye-witness Alexander Vagin, quoted in
[Anonymous] (2013): ML: ~4 m; MW: ≥0.5 m; WL: >5 m
Seen alive at surface by Russian scientists (including Ivan Istomin and Alexander Vagin) on South Korean research vessel during mission to study
toothfish;
filmed by Istomin. Recorded in 2008 but only made public in 2013; widely reported in English-language media only in 2015. Specimen pulled from depths feeding on line-caught toothfish. Video shows squid
changing colour from initial deep red (possibly a
stress response) to light pink. Widely misreported as "giant squid".[33]
Non-mesonychoteuthid. Misidentified as a "colossal squid" in some media reports. Reportedly largest recorded giant squid specimen from Australian waters. Capture of squid described by skipper Rangi Pene. Public dissection took place at
Melbourne Museum on 17 July 2008, carried out by team of experts led by
Mark Norman.
Non-mesonychoteuthid. Initially identified as a colossal squid by Department of Conservation Wellington area manager, Rob Stone. Correct identification by
Te Papa communications manager, Jane Kieg. Te Papa only interested in beak for examination due to poor condition of specimen; probably attacked at sea.
Collected by
NIWA during the New Zealand–Australia Antarctic Ecosystems Voyage (29 January – 11 March 2015). Frozen on board ship; later examined at the
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa by Kat Bolstad and Aaron Boyd Evans. Characteristic hook and sucker combination already discernible on arms.
The following abbreviations are used in the List of colossal squid table.
Oceanic sectors
M. hamiltoni has a circumpolar
Antarctic distribution.
SWA, Southwest Atlantic Ocean
SEA, Southeast Atlantic Ocean
SWP, Southwest Pacific Ocean
SEP, Southeast Pacific Ocean
SIO, Southern Indian Ocean
Measurements
Abbreviations used for measurements and counts are based on standardised acronyms in
teuthology, primarily those defined by
Roper & Voss (1983), with the exception of several found in older references.
ED, egg diameter
EL, "entire" length (end of tentacle(s), often stretched, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to WL, measured from end of arms to posterior tip of tail)
EyD, eye diameter
FL, fin length
FW, fin width
HL, head length (most often base of arms to edge of mantle)
HW, head width
LD, lens diameter
LRL, lower rostral length of beak
ML, mantle length (used only where stated as such)
MW, maximum mantle width (used only where stated as such)
WL, "whole" length (end of arms, often damaged, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to EL, measured from end of tentacles to posterior tip of tail)
The number directly below each image corresponds to the specimen or sighting, in the List of colossal squid, that the image depicts. The date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed is also given.
Two-part beak of a colossal squid exhibited during the NHM's Spirit Collection Tour
Another colossal squid beak on display as part of the NHM's Spirit Collection Tour (see also
alternate view)
A "very large dark beak" of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni on display at the NHM's
Darwin Centre
Notes
^Similar near-white colouration was seen in the first habitat footage of both the giant squid and Kondakovia longimana (giant warty squid), much to the surprise of experts, as dead or dying specimens of these species likewise have reddish skin.[14]
^The fins of the 2007 Ross Sea specimen measured around 1.2 m (3.9 ft) across and it had a mantle width of 98.2 cm (3.22 ft).[17] The arms ranged in length from 0.85 m (2.8 ft) to 1.15 m (3.8 ft), while the two tentacles were around 2.1 m (6.9 ft) long.[18]
Aldridge, A.E. (2009). Can beak shape help to research the life history of squid? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research43(5): 1061–1067.
doi:
10.1080/00288330.2009.9626529
Clarke, M.R. (1986). A Handbook for the Identification of Cephalopod Beaks. Clarendon Press, Oxford. xiii + 273 pp.
ISBN0-19-857603-X.
Clarke, M.R. & N. Goodall (1994). Cephalopods in the diets of three odontocete cetacean species stranded at Tierra del Fuego, Globicephala melaena (Traill, 1809), Hyperoodon planifrons Flower, 1882 and Cephalorhynchus commersonii (Lacepede, 1804). Antarctic Science6(2): 149–154.
doi:
10.1017/S0954102094000234
Guerrero-Kommritz, J. (2011). Seasonal distribution of early life stages in squid of the Lazarev Sea, Antarctica. Antarctic Science23(1)[Feb.]: 93–94.
doi:
10.1017/S0954102010000672
Klumov, S.K. & V.L. Yukhov (1975). Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925 (Cephalopoda, Oegopsida) i ego znatchenie v pitanii kashalota antarckticheskih vod. [Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, 1925 (Cephalopoda, Oegopsida) and its significance to feeding of sperm whales in Antarctic waters.] Antarktika: Doklady Komissi14: 159–189. [English translation: TT 81-59176, Al Ahram Center for Scientific Translations.] (in Russian)
Komoda, M. & M. Mizunuma (directors) (2019). Hunt for the Giant Squid. [documentary film]
NHK and
National Geographic. 44 mins.
Korabelnikov, L.V. (1959). The diet of sperm whales in the Antarctic seas. Priroda3:103-104, 5 figures. (in Russian)
Kubodera, T. (1995). 大型イカ--マッコウクジラの胃内容から. [Giant squid from sperm whale stomach contents.] Aquabiology17(6): 482–487.
NAID40004392241(in Japanese)
Leviton, A.E. & F.H. Gibbs Jr. (1988). Standards in herpetology and ichthyology. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Supplement No. 1: Additions and corrections. Copeia1988(1): 28–228.
Leviton, A.E., F.H. Gibbs Jr., E. Heal & C.D. Dawson (1985). Standards in herpetology and ichthyology: Part I. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in herpetology and ichthyology. Copeia 1985(3): 802–832.
Pollock, K. (2010).
The day a squid came to town. Signposts: A blog about the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 16 August 2010.
Prince, P.A. (1980). The food and feeding ecology of Grey‐headed Albatross Diomedea chrysostoma and Black‐browed Albatross D. melanophris. Ibis122(4)[Oct.]: 476–488.
doi:
10.1111/j.1474-919x.1980.tb00902.x
Remeslo, A.V., M.R. Yakushev & V. Laptikhovsky (2015). Alien vs. Predator: interactions between the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni). Journal of Natural History49(41–42): 2483–2491.
doi:
10.1080/00222933.2015.1040477
Remeslo, A.V., V.L. Yukhov, K. Bolstad & V. Laptikhovsky (2019). Distribution and biology of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni: new data from depredation in toothfish fisheries and sperm whale stomach contents. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers147: 121–127.
doi:
10.1016/j.dsr.2019.04.008
Rodhouse, P.G. &
M.R. Clarke (1985). Growth and distribution of young Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson (Mollusca: Cephalopoda): an Antarctic squid. Vie Milieu35(3/4):223–230.
Rosa, R., V.M. Lopes, M. Guerreiro, K. Bolstad & J.C. Xavier (2017). Biology and ecology of the world's largest invertebrate, the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni): a short review. Polar Biology40(9): 1871–1883.
doi:
10.1007/s00300-017-2104-5