SCUBA Diving News

A colossal squid has been caught in Antarctic waters, the first example of retrieved virtually intact from the surface of the ocean. "Now we know that it is moving right through the water column, right up to the very surface and it grows to a spectacular size." Commented New Zealand squid expert and senior research fellow at Auckland University of Technology, Dr Steve O'Shea.

There have only ever been six specimens of this squid recovered: five have come from the stomachs of sperm whales and the sixth was caught in a trawl net at a depth of 2,000 to 2,200 metres.

This squid has one of the largest beaks known of any squid and also has unique swivelling hooks on the clubs at the ends of its tentacles.

"It really has to be one of the most frightening predators out there. It's without parallel in the oceans,"

More info: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2910849.stm


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Labels: sealife

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# posted by SCUBA News @ 3:54 PM