Massive squid caught near Antarctica
Professor calls it a "gelatinous blob with seriously evil arms on it" set to make its acting debut in the next horror movie.
The squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep by the vessel San Aspiring, and is now lying frozen in a Timaru coolstore.
"It is likely that it is the first intact adult male colossal squid to ever be successfully landed," Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said today.
"The scientific community will be very interested in this amazing creature".
The squid – regarded by experts as the world's largest and most aggressive species – is to be transferred to the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington for scientific study.
The squid was about 450kg and barely alive when it reached the surface and the vessel's crew thought it would be very unlikely to survive if released.
Prof O'Shea, a world expert, said of the 6m specimen:.
Colossal squid are not related to giant squid, which also grow up to 12m long, and colossal squid have much larger body and smaller tentacles than the giant squid, and are a much heavier animal.
The colossal squid has swivelling hooks in the suckers at the tips of its tentacles – suggesting it is an aggressive hunter – while giant squid have suckers lined with small teeth.
http://stuff.co.nz/3971111a...
By netchicken:
posted on 23-2-2007
The squid was eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep by the vessel San Aspiring, and is now lying frozen in a Timaru coolstore.
"It is likely that it is the first intact adult male colossal squid to ever be successfully landed," Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said today.
"The scientific community will be very interested in this amazing creature".
The squid – regarded by experts as the world's largest and most aggressive species – is to be transferred to the Museum of New Zealand in Wellington for scientific study.
The squid was about 450kg and barely alive when it reached the surface and the vessel's crew thought it would be very unlikely to survive if released.
Prof O'Shea, a world expert, said of the 6m specimen:
... Quote:
Colossal squid are not related to giant squid, which also grow up to 12m long, and colossal squid have much larger body and smaller tentacles than the giant squid, and are a much heavier animal.
The colossal squid has swivelling hooks in the suckers at the tips of its tentacles – suggesting it is an aggressive hunter – while giant squid have suckers lined with small teeth.
http://stuff.co.nz/3971111a...
