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Colossal Squid Landed Intact In Antarctica

Posted by kdawson on from the bigger-than-giant dept.

zakkie writes "New Zealand fisherman have caught a massive 450-kg colossal squid in Antarctic waters. This is by far the biggest yet found, measuring over 10 meters in length and weighing 450 kg. It has been taken back to New Zealand for study." The NZ government's announcement page features a downloadable backgrounder on the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and a 1.1-MB popup portrait of the animal in the fishing boat's hold.

8 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. yummy by the+unbeliever · · Score: 3, Funny

    oh gods, the calamari that could come from that beast...

    1. Re:yummy by 93,000 · · Score: 3, Funny

      According to Yahoo news, calamari rings from this thing would be as large as tractor tires. (as a born and raised ND hick, I can say that even though tractor tires vary greatly in size, none of them are small enough to eat in one sitting)

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    2. Re:yummy by Chris+Burke · · Score: 3, Funny

      Heh, hilarious.

      "One expert said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres."

      I had to wonder, was this person an expert in giant sea creatures, seafood, or tires?

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      The enemies of Democracy are
  2. Wow by rsilvergun · · Score: 3, Funny

    that's the second biggest squid I've ever seen.

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  3. Re:Another squid recently. by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 4, Funny

    There can be only one answer: GODZILLA HAS AWAKENED!!!

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    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  4. Ryleh! by dodobh · · Score: 3, Funny

    Cthulhu comes!

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    I can throw myself at the ground, and miss.
  5. Re:I for one... by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 4, Funny

    >eight tentacled

    Actually, squids have ten tentacles, or eight arms and two tentacles, depending on your choice of terminology. Either way, accuracy is better than pissing off anything that big.

    Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

    --
    Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
  6. Re:eyes and pigment by MrSquishy · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...suggests they're designed to see in very low-light conditions (like owls and whipporwhills) How in the heck does a giant squid get into an owl?