The Colossal Squid Lives Near Antarctica And Is The Largest Invertebrate Species On Earth, Weighing Nearly 1,100 Pounds And Growing As Long As A Bus

Colossal squids are members of the glass squid family, so they look transparent. The video footage showed a creature with vermillion tentacles and a pale blue bioluminescence.

The footage was sent to experts at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand for review.

It’s unlikely that they will be able to confirm a colossal squid sighting based on the little information they were given, but the footage is still considered a big win because it’s rare for squid species in the Southern Ocean to be seen at all.

The only other time that humans have laid eyes on a live adult colossal squid was in 2007, when a female was accidentally fished out of the depths. The squid was over 12 feet long and weighed almost 1,000 pounds.

Although the goal of the expedition was to observe an adult colossal squid in its natural environment, the scientists also happened to film nearly 80 other species, including giant volcano sponges and Antarctic sunflower stars.

The team plans to return to the area to continue their search for the colossal squid.