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.
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 86mm (3.4in)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 2.42m (7.9ft) and total length of 5.1m (17ft) from a depth of 750–770m, 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 300kg (660lb), with a total length of around 5.4m (18ft) and mantle length of 2.5m (8.2ft).[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 1,143m (3,750ft) depth off Macquarie Island the same year.[9] On 25 June 2005, a specimen was captured alive at a depth of 1,625m (5,331ft) 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 5m (16ft) and the animal is thought to have weighed between 150 and 200kg (330 and 440lb).[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. It has been suggested that this might be the animal's typical colouration, with the more commonly seen reddish tones representing a stress response.
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 450kg (990lb), its mantle length at 4m (13ft), and its total length at 8–10m (26–33ft).[15] Once completely thawed the specimen was found to weigh 495kg (1,091lb), but to measure only 2.5m (8.2ft) in mantle length and 4.2m (14ft) 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 (>50kg[110lb]) 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, with a lower rostral length around twice that of the giant squid.
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 5m[16ft] 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 450kg, mantle length at 4m, and total length at 8–10m. 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: ~4m; MW: ≥0.5m; WL: >5m
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 1.2m (3.9ft) across and it had a mantle width of 98.2cm (3.22ft).[17] The arms ranged in length from 0.85m (2.8ft) to 1.15m (3.8ft), while the two tentacles were around 2.1m (6.9ft) long.[18]
A squid is a mollusc with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight arms, and two tentacles in the superorder Decapodiformes, though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also called squid despite not strictly fitting these criteria. Like all other cephalopods, squid have a distinct head, bilateral symmetry, and a mantle. They are mainly soft-bodied, like octopuses, but have a small internal skeleton in the form of a rod-like gladius or pen, made of chitin.
The giant squid is a species of deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae. It can grow to a tremendous size, offering an example of abyssal gigantism: recent estimates put the maximum size at around 12–13 m (39–43 ft) for females and 10 m (33 ft) for males, from the posterior fins to the tip of the two long tentacles. The mantle of the giant squid is about 2 m long, and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft). Claims of specimens measuring 20 m (66 ft) or more have not been scientifically documented.
The Antarctic toothfish is a large, black or brown fish found in very cold (subzero) waters of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. It is the largest fish in the Southern Ocean, feeding on shrimp and smaller fish, and preyed on by whales, orcas, and seals. It is caught for food and marketed as Chilean sea bass together with its sister species, the more northerly Patagonian toothfish. Often mistakenly called "Antarctic cod," the Antarctic toothfish belongs to the notothen family (Nototheniidae), a group of fish species abundant near Antarctica.
The family Cranchiidae comprises the approximately 60 species of glass squid, also known as cockatoo squid, cranchiid, cranch squid, or bathyscaphoid squid. Cranchiid squid occur in surface and midwater depths of open oceans around the world. They range in mantle length from 10 cm (3.9 in) to over 3 m (9.8 ft), in the case of the colossal squid. The common name, glass squid, derives from the transparent nature of most species. Cranchiid squid spend much of their lives in partially sunlit shallow waters, where their transparency provides camouflage. They are characterised by a swollen body and short arms, which bear two rows of suckers or hooks. The third arm pair is often enlarged. Many species are bioluminescent organisms and possess light organs on the undersides of their eyes, used to cancel their shadows. Eye morphology varies widely, ranging from large and circular to telescopic and stalked. A large, fluid-filled chamber containing ammonia solution is used to aid buoyancy. This buoyancy system is unique to the family and is the source of their common name "bathyscaphoid squid", after their resemblance to a bathyscaphe. Often the only organ that is visible through the transparent tissues is a cigar-shaped digestive gland, which is the cephalopod equivalent of a mammalian liver. This is usually held in a vertical position to reduce its silhouette and a light organ is sometimes present on the lower tip to further minimise its appearance in the water.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington. Usually known as Te Papa, it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery. An average of more than 1.5 million people visit every year, making it the 26th-most-visited art gallery in the world. Te Papa operates under a bicultural philosophy, and emphasises the living stories behind its cultural treasures.
Taoniinae is a subfamily containing ten genera of glass squids.
Megalocranchia fisheri is a species of glass squid. Its natural range covers at least the waters off Hawaii. The species may attain a mantle length of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and a total length of over 2.7 m (8.9 ft), making it one of the largest species of squid, together with the colossal squid, the giant squid, and the robust clubhook squid. It inhabits surface and mid-depth waters of open ocean. Juveniles live near the surface, while adults occupy mesopelagic depths during the day and migrate to near-surface waters at night. M. fisheri possesses two large light organs in the gill cavity. Females additionally have light organs on the ends of their third arm pair. As the animal matures, its fins become spear-like in appearance.
Cephalopods, which include squids and octopuses, vary enormously in size. The smallest are only about 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long and weigh less than 1 gram (0.035 oz) at maturity, while the giant squid can exceed 10 metres (33 ft) in length and the colossal squid weighs close to half a tonne (1,100 lb), making them the largest living invertebrates. Living species range in mass more than three-billion-fold, or across nine orders of magnitude, from the lightest hatchlings to the heaviest adults. Certain cephalopod species are also noted for having individual body parts of exceptional size.
Moroteuthopsis longimana, also known as the giant warty squid or longarm octopus squid, is a large species of hooked squid. It attains a mantle length of at least 85 cm and probably over 1.15 m. The largest complete specimen of this species, measuring 2.3 m in total length, was found in Antarctica in 2000.
Steve O'Shea is a marine biologist and environmentalist known for his research on giant squid.
The seven-arm octopus, also known as the blob octopus or sometimes called septopus, is one of the two largest known species of octopus; the largest specimen ever discovered had an estimated total length of 3.5 m (11 ft) and mass of 75 kg (165 lb). The only other similarly large extant species is the giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini.
The colossal squid is the largest member of its family Cranchiidae, the cockatoo or glass squids, with its second largest member being Megalocranchia fisheri. It is sometimes called the Antarctic cranch squid or giant squid and is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass. It is the only recognized member of the genus Mesonychoteuthis and is known from only a small number of specimens. The species is confirmed to reach a mass of at least 495 kilograms (1,091 lb), though the largest specimens—known only from beaks found in sperm whale stomachs—may perhaps weigh as much as 600–700 kilograms (1,300–1,500 lb), making it the largest known invertebrate. Maximum total length has been estimated at 9–10 metres (30–33 ft). The colossal squid has the largest eyes of any known creature ever to exist, with an estimated diameter of 27 cm (11 in).
Cephalopod attacks on humans have been reported since ancient times. A significant portion of these attacks are questionable or unverifiable tabloid stories. Cephalopods are members of the class Cephalopoda, which includes all squid, octopuses, cuttlefish, and nautiluses. Some members of the group are capable of causing injury or death to humans.
Stauroteuthis gilchristi is a species of small pelagic octopus found at great depths in the south Atlantic Ocean. It is believed to be one of a very small number of octopuses to exhibit bioluminescence, like its sister taxon Stauroteuthis syrtensis.
All extant cephalopods have a two-part beak, or rostrum, situated in the buccal mass and surrounded by the muscular head appendages. The dorsal (upper) mandible fits into the ventral (lower) mandible and together they function in a scissor-like fashion. The beak may also be referred to as the mandibles or jaws.
The Search for the Giant Squid is a non-fiction book by Richard Ellis on the biology, history and mythology of the giant squid of the genus Architeuthis. It was well received upon its release in 1998. Though soon rendered outdated by important developments in giant squid research, it is still considered an important reference on the subject.
Ramari's beaked whale is a medium size whale in the genus Mesoplodon. It is found in cool waters of the Southern Hemisphere. The species name, eueu, comes from the Khwedam word meaning 'big fish', as most of the strandings of these whales come from Khoisan territories in South Africa. The common name honours Māori whale expert Ramari Stewart.
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 + 273pp. 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
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
#19 (?/2/2007)
#19 (?/2/2007)
Head and limbs of a colossal squid displayed on a submerged plexiglass shelf next to the "Archie" giant squid specimen (tentacular club thereof visible to right) as part of the Spirit Collection Tour at London's Natural History Museum (NHM) [34] (see also view from proximal end)
Tentacular club of a colossal squid collected by Malcolm R. Clarke, displayed in neutral formalin with two gladii of Loligo forbesii as part of the NHM's Spirit Collection Tour (see also specimen label and close-up of rotating suckers)
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
