Te Papa is open. Visiting Te Papa during Alert Level 1
Kei te tuwhera a Te Papa. Te toronga mai ki Te Papa i raro i te Pae Mataara 1

  1. Home
  2. Discover the collections
  3. Read, watch, play
  4. Science and nature
  5. The deep sea
  6. Colossal squid

The anatomy of the colossal squid

Before 2003, when the first giant squid was caught, no one had ever seen an intact colossal squid before. The three colossal squid at Te Papa have given scientists a unique opportunity to examine its bizarre anatomy. 

  • A scientists holds the tentacles of the colossal squid
    The arms and tentacles of the colossal squid

    The arms and tentacles of the colossal squid

    The colossal squid is unique because it has incredible rotating hooks on the club-shaped ends of the tentacles.

  • A scientist holds a colossal squid beak
    The beak of the colossal squid

    The beak of the colossal squid

    Like all squid and octopus, and their relatives, the colossal squid has a beak. This is essentially the mouth of the squid, and the first stage of the digestive system.

  • Colossal squid Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni Robson, photographed from above
    The body of the colossal squid

    The body of the colossal squid

    A colossal squid has three main body parts: the mantle and fin, the head, and a circle of arms and tentacles.

  • A scientists holds the lens of an eye from a colossal squid
    The eyes of the colossal squid

    The eyes of the colossal squid

    The colossal squid has the largest animal eyes ever studied. It possibly has the largest eyes that have ever existed during the history of the animal kingdom.

  • The gills of a colossal squid
    The organs of a colossal squid

    The organs of a colossal squid

    Learn all about the inside bits of a colossal squid! Including the gills, heart, and blood.