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Animal profile

Colossal Squid

Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni

CephalopodaDeep Southern Ocean waters, mostly below 1,000 metresLeast Concern

Field profile

The colossal squid is the heaviest known invertebrate, built more stoutly than the longer giant squid. It is known from very few whole specimens, most caught incidentally by toothfish longliners in the Southern Ocean.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-07-23

Colossal Squid

The colossal squid carries swivelling hooks on its arms

Unlike the giant squid, which grips with toothed sucker rings, the colossal squid bears sharp hooks on its arms and tentacle clubs, some of which rotate on a swivel at the base.

Read with evidence →

Colossal Squid | Daily Animal Facts