60' Squid Washes up on Tasmanian Beach

Astrobirdr writes "CNN has a story about a giant squid that recently washed up on a Tasmanian beach. Some think it might be a new species." 60 feet long is enough for a lot of calimari.

Comments

Steel Cables?

[wompser]

from the article:

The giant squid is a carnivorous mollusk with a beak-like mouth strong enough to cut through a steel cable and its eyes are the largest in the animal kingdom -- growing up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) wide.

I'm not a marine biologist, but what do you suppose giant squid need to bite through that is "as strong as a steel cable?" Unless they prey on submarines, I can't imagine any sea critter that has a shell that tough!

Re:Steel Cables?

[ShavenYak]

I'm not a marine biologist, but what do you suppose giant squid need to bite through that is "as strong as a steel cable?"

Well, any good design has some margin of safety. You wouldn't want the squid to only barely be able to bite through its food, or its beak wouldn't last long. That said, I imagine you need a good deal of force to break open something like a chambered nautilus (the shellfish, not the submarine).