First in a Century, This Colossal Squid Weighs 500 kg

For more than a hundred years, the colossal squid lingered on the edge of science and legend — known only through fragments discovered in sperm whale stomachs or washed up in eerie, partially digested form. But in April 2025, the elusive giant finally revealed itself alive — and this time, the cameras captured the moment.

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First Live Juvenile Colossal Squid Filmed in the Wild Sea

In a groundbreaking moment for marine science, researchers captured the first verified footage of a live juvenile colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) in its natural habitat. Measuring around 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) long, the squid appeared at a depth of 600 meters (1,968 feet) near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. This sighting is particularly significant, marking the first in situ observation of the species since its formal identification over a century ago. The team obtained the footage during a 35-day expedition aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too), led by Dr. Michelle Taylor of the University of Essex.

Dr. Taylor described the squid as “beautiful and unusual” in a blog post and shared that the team didn’t initially recognize the significance of their discovery. Dr. Kat Bolstad, a leading expert in deep-sea squid, later confirmed the find and expressed awe at witnessing the creature alive in its environment. “It’s exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist,” she wrote. This rare glimpse into the life of such an elusive species serves as a powerful reminder of how much of the deep ocean remains unexplored and teeming with undiscovered life.

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What exactly are colossal squids?

The colossal squid, a creature of mythic proportions, has long captured the human imagination with its immense size and elusive nature. Growing up to 7 metres in length and weighing as much as 500 kilograms, it’s heavier than a grand piano and nearly as long as a school bus. What distinguishes it from its more well-known relative, the giant squid, are the rotating hooks on its arms — a terrifying adaptation that likely fueled many sea monster legends. Until recently, evidence of its existence came only from remains found in the stomachs of whales, suggesting dramatic deep-sea battles between giants.

The recent confirmed sighting of a live colossal squid marks a groundbreaking moment in marine science. While some specimens have been found dying in fishermen’s nets, this is the first time one has been observed thriving in its natural habitat. Despite the excitement, it raises even more questions about where and how these creatures live. With past unconfirmed sightings, like one caught on a polar cruise vessel in 2023, and limited knowledge about their life cycle, the colossal squid remains shrouded in mystery. Yet, discoveries like this highlight the ocean’s vast, unexplored biodiversity — and remind us how much there is still to learn about the planet’s final frontier.