Colossal squid

Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni

Size: Total length 10–14 m · 275–500 kg
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: —

Colossal squid is a gigantic deep-sea squid of the Southern Ocean and one of the heaviest cephalopods. Few complete adults are known, so stomach contents of sperm whales and fishery captures inform research.

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Key facts

Colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is a carnivore animal classified as Invertebrate · Oegopsida · Cranchiidae.
Primary habitats are open ocean · polar, with a range across Southern Ocean · Antarctic.
Activity is cathemeral, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
Colossal squid is a gigantic deep-sea squid of the Southern Ocean and one of the heaviest cephalopods.
It inhabits cold open ocean and deep waters around Antarctica, likely shifting depth with age.

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It inhabits cold open ocean and deep waters around Antarctica, likely shifting depth with age. Main habitat types in this guide are ocean, polar.

Appearance

Typical length 1000-1400 cm, weight 275 kg-500 kg. It has a massive body, thick arms, rotating hooks on the tentacles, and enormous eyes.

Behavior

It is active in repeated bouts across day and night and usually solitary. It is part of deep-water food webs that include large fish and toothed whales.

Feeding

It is carnivorous. Fish and squid are likely seized with hooked tentacles.

Reproduction

Reproduction is poorly known, but eggs and young are thought to develop in open ocean waters.

Notes

Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Few complete adults are known, so stomach contents of sperm whales and fishery captures inform research.