The Giant Squid, scientifically known as Architeuthis dux, from the genus Architeuthis, is a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae. Giant Squids, the largest of all invertebrates, can grow to a tremendous size: up to 20 meters, which is a ridiculous 66 feet! The number of Giant Squid species has been debated, but recent genetic research has suggested that only one species exists. Japanese researchers took the first images of a giant squid in its natural habitat off the Ogasawara Islands, south of Tokyo, on December 4, 2006.
The Giant Squid is a carnivorous invertebrate that can grow up to 200 kgs in weight. The giant squid remains largely a mystery to scientists despite being the biggest invertebrate on Earth. However, their inhospitable deep-sea habitat has made them uniquely difficult to study, and almost everything scientists know about them is from carcasses that have washed up on beaches or been hauled in by fishermen.
The Giant squid, along with their cousin, the colossal squid, have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, measuring about 10 inches (25 centimeters) in diameter. These massive organs allow them to detect objects in the lightless depths where most other animals would see nothing.
Like other squid species, they have eight arms and two longer feeding tentacles that help them bring food to their beak-like mouths. Their diet mainly consists of fish, shrimp, and other squid, and some suggest they might even attack and eat small whales. They maneuver their massive bodies with fins that seem miniscule for their size. They use their funnel as a propulsion system, drawing water into the main part of the body, and forcing it out the back. Scientists don't know enough about these beasts to say for sure what their living range is, but carcasses from these giant mysteries have washed up on shores all around the world.
The Giant Squid is a carnivorous invertebrate that can grow up to 200 kgs in weight. The giant squid remains largely a mystery to scientists despite being the biggest invertebrate on Earth. However, their inhospitable deep-sea habitat has made them uniquely difficult to study, and almost everything scientists know about them is from carcasses that have washed up on beaches or been hauled in by fishermen.
The Giant squid, along with their cousin, the colossal squid, have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, measuring about 10 inches (25 centimeters) in diameter. These massive organs allow them to detect objects in the lightless depths where most other animals would see nothing.
Like other squid species, they have eight arms and two longer feeding tentacles that help them bring food to their beak-like mouths. Their diet mainly consists of fish, shrimp, and other squid, and some suggest they might even attack and eat small whales. They maneuver their massive bodies with fins that seem miniscule for their size. They use their funnel as a propulsion system, drawing water into the main part of the body, and forcing it out the back. Scientists don't know enough about these beasts to say for sure what their living range is, but carcasses from these giant mysteries have washed up on shores all around the world.