Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Shimmering like a sculpture, the juvenile squid drifted through the dark with silken fins. Biologist Dr. Heather Ritchie-Bennion called it “grace incarnate in deep sea form.”
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Captured on March 9, 2025, this is the first confirmed live footage of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, thanks to Schmidt Ocean Institute's expedition near South Sandwich Islands.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
The squid avoided detection for over a century by thriving in pitch-black depths and evading light and noise, a trait marine biologists credit as evolutionary genius.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Scientists identified the species by mid-arm hooks—hallmarks of the colossal squid. This key feature solved the mystery, according to marine taxonomist Dr. Kat Bolstad.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Far from a horror, the squid moved with ethereal beauty. Researchers say its serene presence defies media’s long-standing monster mythos.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Though just 30 cm, the squid revealed vital insights into its life stage. Dr. Santiago Herrera noted it offers a rare look at colossal squid development.
Living 600 meters deep in the South Atlantic, this squid thrives in a lightless, frigid zone rarely visited—no wonder it’s remained a mystery for so long.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
The sighting was a win for global collaboration: Schmidt Ocean Institute, Ocean Census, and GoSouth joined forces for this unforgettable capture.
Representative pic
What started as a biodiversity scan turned historic. Marine surveyors were stunned when the footage revealed the elusive squid in crystal-clear motion.
Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute