A young colossal squid has been caught alive on film for the first time on a scientific deep-sea expedition in the Southern Ocean. Filmed at a depth of approximately 600 meters off the South Sandwich Islands, the squid was seen by a team on board the Schmidt Ocean Institute research vessel Falkor (too). The crew employed a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called SuBastian to capture this moment. This is a rare deep-sea biology breakthrough, providing scientists with the first visual confirmation of a living specimen of this species in its natural environment.
Mission Objectives and Location
The video was filmed on a 35-day Ocean Census cruise dedicated to the observation of poorly understood marine species in distant oceans. The South Sandwich Islands were chosen due to their remoteness and low human disturbance, which facilitates the conservation of marine biodiversity. The cold and nutrient-rich ocean waters surrounding the islands provide for deep-sea species that rarely have been under investigation in a natural environment.
With the aid of sophisticated equipment such as SuBastian, the team ventured into the depths of the ocean with the aim of obtaining real-time video footage. On one of the dives, the ROV captured a squid swimming through dark ocean waters. Following examination, it was identified as a juvenile colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) by experts, providing new insights into a creature that has previously only been known through remains.
Physical Features and Visual Details
The squid in the video were smaller than one foot long and had a delicate, transparent body. They had bluish spots and iridescent rust-colored chromatophores—minute cells that enable the squid to vary its color. The chromatophores expanded and contracted, momentarily darkening patches of it before reforming their transparent state.
Among the distinctive traits observed was a series of rotating, sharp hooks found on the squid’s arms and tentacles. These are employed for prey capture as well as potentially for defense against other organisms. In spite of the specimen being juvenile, these attributes matched those documented from older, dead specimens obtained in earlier decades.
Adult colossal squids reach a maximum length of 23 feet and a weight of more than 1,000 pounds. Still, no living adult has ever been sighted in the wild. To date, scientists have learned about this species only from the remains found on ocean surfaces or in the stomachs of larger marine predators like sperm whales.
Behavior and Reasons for Rarity
The squid seemed to swim calmly, undisturbed by the ROV. Its tranquil movement enabled the researchers to record uninterrupted, high-quality footage. The experts opine that this action may be connected with its immaturity, as mature squids might respond in a different manner or go unnoticed.
One possible reason for the difficulty in observing adult colossal squids is their large eyes—the biggest of any animal. These eyes can detect faint movement or light from far away, possibly allowing adult squids to evade deep-sea equipment like ROVs.
It’s also possible that adults live at much deeper levels than where the juvenile occurred. Although this specimen showed up at 600 meters, adults might live at levels above 2,000 meters, where present observing equipment can’t effectively operate. These deeper levels are still mostly inaccessible, so meetings are even less possible.
Expert Analysis and Scientific Importance
Cephalopod specialists Kat Bolstad and Aaron Evans analyzed the video and verified the squid’s identity using several physical characteristics, such as its color, behavior, and body anatomy. Rotating hooks, translucence of the body, and patterns of movement were among the factors that confirmed the identification.
This sighting is useful for sea research because it offers a real-time look at the squid’s life stage and natural behavior. Unlike earlier finds, which came from remains or secondhand spotting, this phenomenon offers scientists an opportunity to learn about the creature while in transit, amidst its environment.
Aside from video footage, environmental DNA (eDNA) samples were also gathered during the dive. This could potentially help ascertain if adult squids are present in the region, giving researchers an even better idea of where they can concentrate future search attempts.
South Sandwich Islands as a Research Site
The South Sandwich Islands lie in a remote region of the Southern Ocean. They are seldom accessed because of severe weather, strong currents, and poor accessibility. Such conditions, although harsh, also protect the marine ecosystem here from man-induced disturbances.
With limited exposure to pollutants and navigation, the waters surrounding the islands are a fairly intact environment to study deep-sea organisms. Cold temperatures and nutrient currents also provide a place for rare organisms, presenting scientists with an optimal place to explore.
With the aid of sophisticated gear such as SuBastian, the crew could shoot in these waters without upsetting the ecosystem. The ROV’s quiet motor and high-def camera allowed for a close encounter with the squid without scaring or injuring it.
Conclusion,
The live footage of a juvenile colossal squid off the South Sandwich Islands is an uncommon occurrence in oceanic studies. Seen at 600 meters, the squid showed clear characteristics like chromatophores and tentacle hooks, which served to identify it. This milestone offers a new look at a species that has been known for years only in pieces and fragments. As exploration equipment advances and deep-sea exploration continues, scientists expect to learn more about these enigmatic animals and their worlds.