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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.

1 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Re:eyes and pigment by fitten · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you notice, it is red. This is actually useful at depth as light of those wavelengths are filtered by the water so that even at relatively shallow depths, reds appear as grays. At 'deep' depths, no red wavelengths of light are found (from the surface/sun) so animals that are red at that depth are 'colorless'.