Scientists Capture First Video of Colossal Squid in the Deep Sea

For the first time since its discovery a century ago, a colossal squid has been filmed alive in its natural deep-sea environment. The sighting, made on March 9, took place off the coast of the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. It marks a milestone in ocean exploration, providing scientists with the first-ever live footage of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, the largest known invertebrate on Earth.

The colossal squid has long remained an elusive sea creature.

An Encounter 100 Years in the Making

The squid was spotted nearly 2,000 feet beneath the ocean surface by a remotely operated vehicle named SuBastian, deployed from the research vessel *Falkor (too)*. The expedition was led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census and GoSouth—a partnership of institutions from the UK, Germany, and Antarctica. The juvenile specimen, measuring just under a foot, is likely in a teenage stage of development, experts say.

This historic observation comes 100 years after the colossal squid was first identified in 1925. Since then, most knowledge about the species has come from partial remains found in whale stomachs or bycatch from deep-sea fisheries.

For 100 years, scientists have mainly encountered these creatures as prey remains, Independent reports.

It was spotted near the South Sandwich Islands at 1,968 feet deep.

Identifying the Elusive Creature

The juvenile squid featured telltale signs of its species. Colossal squid have eight shorter arms and two long tentacles. What sets them apart is the presence of hooks on the middle of the eight arms—an adaptation not found in many other squid species.

These hooks were clearly visible in the video footage and confirmed by both Bolstad and Dr. Aaron Evans, an expert on the Cranchiidae family, or glass squids, CNN reports.

Another key feature was the creature’s translucent body and the rusty red chromatophores along its mantle—cells that enable it to change color. Scientists believe this means the squid can shift between transparency and opacity, offering camouflage from predators in the deep sea.

Squid appear in many sizes and colors.

Glacial Glass Squid Also Caught on Camera

In a stunning coincidence, another rare squid was filmed just weeks earlier. During a January dive in the Bellingshausen Sea near Antarctica, researchers captured the first video of a glacial glass squid, *Galiteuthis glacialis*, at a depth of over 2,200 feet. The squid floated into view as the ROV descended, holding its arms above its head in a pose known to cephalopod researchers as the “cockatoo” stance.

Dr. Thom Linley, on board as part of that mission, recognized the importance of the sighting immediately. Even though it was a “cute little squid,” the finding was historic, he told CNN.

Both species belong to the glass squid family and share transparent features and long, hook-tipped tentacles. However, only the colossal squid has hooks on all eight arms, helping scientists differentiate the two with confidence.

Colossal squids can grow up to 23 feet and weigh 1,100 pounds.

A Window Into the Unknown

The sightings were part of an Ocean Census flagship expedition seeking to discover new marine life in some of the least explored parts of the world.

According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the colossal squid can grow up to 23 feet and weigh over 1,100 pounds, making it not only the heaviest invertebrate but also the largest mollusc ever documented. Its massive eyes—up to 30 centimeters in diameter—are among the biggest in the animal kingdom, suited for detecting light in the deep ocean where few organisms can survive.

Yet despite its size and adaptations, adult specimens remain a mystery. The few that have been found were already dead or dying. Adults are believed to be wary, using their sharp vision to avoid submersibles and other potential threats.

Next Steps for Deep-Sea Research

While the current footage only features a juvenile, it represents a breakthrough. Scientists hope future missions will capture an adult in action. However, the next return to Antarctic waters by the Schmidt Ocean Institute isn't planned until 2028. Until then, the *Falkor (too)* will continue exploring the South Atlantic off the coasts of Uruguay and Argentina, and all dives will be live-streamed on the institute’s YouTube channel.

“These unforgettable moments continue to remind us that the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved,” Virmani told the Independent.