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[[File:Squid-full.jpg|thumb|Dead colossal squid in New Zealand]] | |||
The '''colossal squid''' (''Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni'', from Greek ''mesos'' (middle), ''onycho'' (claw, nail), and ''teuthis'' (squid)), sometimes called the '''Antarctic squid''', is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass. It is the only known member of the genus ''Mesonychoteuthis''. It is known from only a few specimens, and current estimates put its maximum size at 12–14 m (39–46 ft) long and weighing possibly up to 750 kg (1,650 lb), based on analysis of smaller and immature specimens, making it the largest known invertebrate. | The '''colossal squid''' (''Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni'', from Greek ''mesos'' (middle), ''onycho'' (claw, nail), and ''teuthis'' (squid)), sometimes called the '''Antarctic squid''', is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass. It is the only known member of the genus ''Mesonychoteuthis''. It is known from only a few specimens, and current estimates put its maximum size at 12–14 m (39–46 ft) long and weighing possibly up to 750 kg (1,650 lb), based on analysis of smaller and immature specimens, making it the largest known invertebrate. | ||
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==History of sightings== | ==History of sightings== | ||
[[File:Colossal-Squid.jpg|thumb|Dead colossal squid on a fishing line]] | |||
The species was first discovered in the form of two tentacles found in the stomach of a sperm whale in 1925.[14] In 1981 a Russian trawler in the [[Ross Sea]], off the coast of [[Antarctica]], caught a large squid with a total length of 4 m (13 ft), which was later identified as an immature female of M. hamiltoni. In 2003 a complete specimen of a subadult female was found near the surface with a total length of 6 m (20 ft) and a mantle length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft).[16] This specimen shows that colossal squids may grow larger than 500 kg (1,100 lb), possibly up to 750 kg (1,650 lb). | The species was first discovered in the form of two tentacles found in the stomach of a sperm whale in 1925.[14] In 1981 a Russian trawler in the [[Ross Sea]], off the coast of [[Antarctica]], caught a large squid with a total length of 4 m (13 ft), which was later identified as an immature female of M. hamiltoni. In 2003 a complete specimen of a subadult female was found near the surface with a total length of 6 m (20 ft) and a mantle length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft).[16] This specimen shows that colossal squids may grow larger than 500 kg (1,100 lb), possibly up to 750 kg (1,650 lb). | ||