giant squid

     

Giant squi are squid of the Architeuthidae family, represented by as many as eight species of the genus Architeuthis. They are deep-ocean dwelling animals that can grow to a tremendous size: recent estimates put the maximum size at 13 metres (43 ft) for females and 10 metres (33 ft) for males from caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles (second only to the colossal squid at an estimated 14 metres (46 ft), one of the largest living organisms). The mantle is about 2 metres (7 ft) long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles is about 5 metres (16 ft). There have been claims reported of specimens of up to 20 metres (66 ft), but no animals of such size have been scientifically documented.

Trivia about giant squid

  • The world's largest invertebrate, it plays a prominent part in an 1870 French novel & a 1954 film
  • Go deep (though not 20,000 leagues) to find Architeuthis dux, this rarely seen cephalopod
  • This 10-armed giant cephalopod is not only the biggest invertebrate, but has the biggest eyes, the size of a volleyball
  • This giant cephalopod has the largest eyes of any creature; they can be as big as a basketball
  • This ocean giant has the largest eyes of any creature
  • The world's largest known invertebrate is the giant species of this cephalopod