2,000 feet below the waves of the South Atlantic Ocean, researchers have been searching for a glimpse of the colossal squid.
First discovered in 1925, scientists found the head and arms of a colossal squid in the stomach of a sperm whale. However, after a century of further exploration, remains like these are all there is to prove its existence.
Rumored to grow up to 46 feet in length, such a large creature has been hard to find.
Until Tuesday. After a 35-day expedition, it was announced that researchers laid their own eyes on the first live colossal squid.
A 1-foot-long baby colossal Squid, to be exact.
Although initially underwhelming, it’s expected to grow rapidly. On average, colossal squids can grow up to 23 feet and weigh 1,100 pounds in just 1 to 2 years. They spend their short life span at extreme depths, in freezing water, eating fish, other smaller squid, and maybe even their own kind.
Scientists have described the mini colossal squid as glasslike. Its transparent body allows for a window into its internal organs, and it has large, glowing eyes. Its bright orange tentacles slowly propel it through the water.
We still know very little about the colossal squid, but this recent discovery may allow scientists to learn more about the elusive creature.