Comments on: Bulletin: First Live Giant Squid Filmed

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:36:05 +0000

Thanks for the info, Sordes. Fascinating articles.

By: Sordes

Sordes — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:37:29 +0000

The name of the colossal squid is Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, and it is known from carcasses since several decades. This species is bulkier built than the giant squid, but has proportionally shorter tentacles. In contrast to the giant squid which reaches a maximum mantle length of about 2.3m the colossal squid reaches a mantle length of probably 4m.

But in contrast to a widespread myth there are no scars of suckers on sperm whales which indicates gigantic squids. For further information about Mesonychoteuthis you should check out this site.

Here is also a picture of a small model of Mesonychoteuthis I made some time ago.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 15:27:38 +0000

Yes, I have read about the so-called “colossal squid”. They have captured sperm whales with sucker marks that, if comparable to other squid, indicate squid out there of truly gigantic proportions.

By: nine

nine — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 09:13:12 +0000

Longtime reader, first time post. Interesting that Hollywood had this thing right all along. I have waited years to see a clear photo of this beast. This is the closest I can visualize when the Bible speaks of “abomination”. Hope there are bigger fellows out there. A major boon too cryptos everywhere!

By: kittenz

kittenz — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 17:34:44 +0000

I read something, somewhere, recently about an type of squid even larger than Architeuthis, to which the author of the article referred as a “colassal” squid (apparently to differentiate it from a merely “giant” squid). I haven’t run across the story again but I’m searching for it. I’m not sure whether, as was the case with Architeuthis, any physical evidence has been recovered of this purported larger species. Has anyone else seen anything on this?

By: ToddPartain

ToddPartain — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 01:06:37 +0000

These are the most fascinating times, it seems, and one of the most fascinating cryptids. This is no cuddly critter, it’s the thing nightmares are made of. All we have to do now is bring in the big guy.

By: busterggi

busterggi — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 14:38:36 +0000

Fantastic!

But watch out for hoaxers claiming to be the guy in the suit.

By: Loren Coleman

Loren Coleman — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:02:06 +0000

Yes, exactly, Architeuthis is a known species today. But on another level, remember, the giant squid was discovered in the 1840s, and it has taken over 160 years for the first film footage to be taken of a living specimen in its natural habitat. In many ways, one could say that Architeuthis has remained hidden (Greek, kryptos) in its natural surroundings almost as much as Sasquatch, who has shown itself along roadways, in creek beds, via footprints, and through other random encounters and physical traces.

By: Sordes

Sordes — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 11:27:17 +0000

You should not forget there was still a huge difference between the giant squid and cryptids like the bigfoot. The giant squid is known from hundreds of carcasses and other relics since more than a century.

By: David V

David V — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 05:00:39 +0000

Clearly this is a man in a suit! Just kidding of course, really though, wow, this is really, really cool and gives moral support to all of us who are ridiculed for knowing that sasquatch exist!