Ian
priscilla 1Colossal Squid
May 12th 2008 10:57
On February 22, 2007 the largest known Colossal Squid was captured. The specimen measured 10 m (33 ft) in length and weighed 495 kg (1,091 lb). The animal was caught in the freezing Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea. It was brought to the surface as it fed on an Antarctic toothfish that had been caught off a long line. It would not let go of its prey and could not be removed from the line by the fishermen, so they decided to catch it instead.
They managed to envelop it in a net, hauled it aboard and froze it. The specimen was frozen in a cubic metre of water and transported to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand's national museum. Scientists at the museum were considering using a giant microwave to defrost the squid because defrosting the squid at room temperatures would take days and it would be likely for the outside to rot while the core remains frozen. However, they later opted for the more conventional approach of thawing the squid in a bath of salt water. Although initially thought to be a male, dissection of the specimen which began on April 30th showed it to be a female.
Thawing and dissection is still taking place at the Te Papa museum.
Some interesting results from the examination so far:
The beak is considerably smaller than some found in the stomachs of sperm whales, suggesting there are Colossal Squid much larger than this one.
The eye is 27 cm (10.63 in) wide, with a lens 12 cm across. This is the largest eye of any known animal. These measurements are of the partly collapsed specimen: when living the eye was probably 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) across.
Dissection of the specimen revealed ovaries containing thousands of eggs.
*These pictures used with permission from Damn Funny Pictures.
**This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Licence. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Colossal Squid.
The Colossal Squid when caught in February 2007.
Colossal Squid being thawed for examination.
Some interesting results from the examination so far:
The beak.
The beak is considerably smaller than some found in the stomachs of sperm whales, suggesting there are Colossal Squid much larger than this one.
Largest eye ever seen of any animal.
The eye is 27 cm (10.63 in) wide, with a lens 12 cm across. This is the largest eye of any known animal. These measurements are of the partly collapsed specimen: when living the eye was probably 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) across.
Dissection of the specimen revealed ovaries containing thousands of eggs.
Colossal Squid tentacles.
*These pictures used with permission from Damn Funny Pictures.
**This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation Licence. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Colossal Squid.
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Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
What really disgusts me is that it was destroyed and not captured for observation and eventual release. That mankind can still only think to kill it and disect such magnificence, says to me that we are still no more than barbarians and probably will destroy this planet in the end, no doubts...
Lilla ...
Comment by Kim L
Diving About
Everytime we find a cool creature or plant, we seem to either kill it or cause it to proliferate to such an extent that it kills everything around it.
We suck (but squid are cool!!!)
Comment by Anonymous
Also, it is an animal, nothing more. I actually find it quite interesting that they are able to dissect it to find out more for science sake, then again, I believe in lab rats as well. Also, if you have read ANYTHING on the species, it is believed that there is MORE than enough to go around. Especially with them living in the waters practically undisturbed for almost 4k years now.