It was once thought that the giant squid was the fiercest squid in the sea. Now meet the colossal squid. This newly-found species is still something of a mystery to scientists. They think it is not only bigger than the giant squid, but it has swiveling hooks in its suckers that make it more dangerous. In the dark depths of Antarctic seas, the colossal squid hooks fish with its clubbed tentacles and tears them to shreds with its huge beak.
Big Beak: This squid has a thick, curved beak, similar to a parrot's. Its beak is bigger than that of any other squid, and can tear through large fish, such as the Patagonian toothfish, which is up to seven feet long.
Light Eye: The colossal squid has colossal eyes. It lives at depths down to 7,200 feet (that's more than a mile deep!), where the waters are nearly pitch black. This squid's large eyes gather minuscule amounts of light and enhance it so the predator can see its prey.
Hooked on Fish[]
This squid is the one that has hooks on its suckers.
Like all squid, the colossal species has eight sucker-lined arms and two long feeding tentacles with clubbed ends, which are also lined with suckers. But the colossal squid has hidden weapons. Inside many of its suckers, especially those on its tentacle clubs, are sharp hooks that dig into the flesh of prey, and can even swivel all the way around to keep a tight grip on struggling victims. The squid also uses its hooks as defense, slashing into enemies that try to attack it.
Squid vs. Whale: As with the giant squid, the colossal squid is known to fight with sperm whales, which try to eat it. Many whales have been found with scars from battling a colossal squid's hooks and suckers.
Glow Squid: Some experts think this squid can glow in the dark. Many deep-sea squid have glowing organs that they use to help find prey, and scientists think the colossal squid may do the same.
Cut Down to Size[]
Many scientists disagree about which squid is bigger, the giant or colossal. Reports of giant squid measuring 60 feet have recently been questioned, with many experts saying the giant squid can really only grow 40 feet-which would make the 45-foot colossal squid the biggest of its kind in the world.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The colossal squid is featured in It's All Relative! on Monster Mania 98.