A 5.1 metre squid, of a species larger and more aggressive than any ever seen before, has been found in the Ross Sea and brought to Te Papa's Tory Street research facility.
Dr Steve O'Shea, a leading authority on squid, has identified the beast as a colossal squid, a species of greater size than the giant squid. The colossal squid has many unique characteristics, including two rows of swivelling razor-sharp hooks along the tentacle club and a combination of hooks and suckers along its arms. The beaks are the largest of any known squid, exceeding those of the giant squid in size. The eyes are probably the largest in the animal kingdom, approximately 30cm in diameter.
On examination, Dr O'Shea found the animal to be a young female and only about half of her potential size. It is thought that the species would grow to approximately 12 metres when fully grown.
Six adult specimens of this species have been reported before, all but one recovered from sperm whale stomachs. This latest find is the largest intact specimen to have been recovered and indicates that these animals are larger and far more ferocious than previously thought.
Little is known of these animals as they live in the near freezing Antarctic waters at depths in excess of 1000 metres. Juveniles are not uncommon from surface waters to 1000 metres, but adults of this species are exceedingly rare in collections. Because the environment in which they live has been so poorly sampled, its life history, diet, and behavior are unknown.
'This is one mean animal! Its enormous sharp beak and the swivelling hooks on its tentacles make it a ferocious fighter,' said Dr O'Shea. 'We have photographs of sperm whales who have eaten these squid and they bear the remarkable scars of the encounter.'
Te Papa houses the national collection of marine animals and the colossal squid will join this collection. After further research, the results will be published in an international scientific journal this year. Dr O'Shea's research on these giants is fully sponsored by the Discovery Channel (USA).