Colossal Squid Caught!
posted in Amazing Facts, Animal Species, Latest News |
New Zealand officials announced today that in Antarctica’s Ross Sea, a fishing boat has caught what can be called the world’s biggest known colossal squid.
These animals are heavier than any giant squid, colossal squids have eyes that are as wide as dinner plates and have sharp hooks on some of the suckers. The new specimen weighs in at an estimated 990 pounds (450 kilograms).
This huge squid was found entangled when feeding a Patagonian tooth fish caught on long lines of hooks. The crew then moved the squid into a net and got it aboard in a two hour long process.
The animal was frozen and placed in a massive freezer below the decks. The carcass is now in New Zealand and is awaiting scientific analysis. The new specimen is probably the first intact male that has ever been recovered.