Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2289991
Colossal Squid
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoniAlso known as Antarctic Cranch Squid, Giant Cranch Squid
Colossal squids roam the bathypelagic depths of the frigid Southern Ocean, relying on dinner-plate-sized eyes to detect faint silhouettes and bioluminescence up to a thousand meters deep. Unlike giant squids whose suckers are lined with serrated rings, their limbs bear sharp, swiveling hooks designed to latch onto thick-scaled prey. These massive ambush predators conserve energy in the freezing water, drifting quietly until fish drift within range of their lethal strike.
Deep SeaPelagicCarnivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Antarctic Toothfish
- Patagonian Toothfish
- Lanternfish
Predators
- Sperm Whale
- Southern Elephant Seal
- Antarctic Sleeper Shark
ThreatsDeep-sea longline fisheries bycatch, shifts in Southern Ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification
HabitatsMesopelagic and bathypelagic waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCranchiidae
- SpeciesMesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Lives thousands of meters below the polar surface and poses no danger to people.
Responsible observation
- Museum Viewing: Seek out rare preserved specimens in natural history collections, such as Te Papa in New Zealand.
- Report Strandings: Contact marine research institutions immediately if floating remains or beached tissues are encountered.
Image unavailableEcological Counterpart 
Prey (c) Pcziko, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Gabriel Barathieu, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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