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Giant Squids Emerge from the Deep!
Giant squids are one of the most elusive creatures on the planet. For the longest time, they existed mainly in the legends of sailors and in science fiction tales. On very rare occasions, a dead squid washed onto a beach or was caught in a net. But in the last few years, scientists and fishermen have finally photographed living specimens of these deep ocean dwellers!
In 2004, Japanese scientists photographed a living giant squid for the first time ever. They attached a camera to a line with some bait on the end and set it in an area where Sperm whales hunt. Sperm whales are the natural predators of giant squids. Encouraged by their success, the scientists soon caught another giant squid that they were able to film as it neared the surface!
Using similar techniques, the scientists were able to catch more species of giant squid on camera. In 2005, a Dana Octopus Squid was videotaped as it attacked a piece of bait. What was incredible was how its tentacles lit up just before it struck! Like having a light flashed in your eyes in the middle of the night, the squid uses its lights to stun and confuse its prey.
Finally, a few weeks ago, fishermen near Antarctica captured the largest squid in the world! Called a colossal squid, it measured 33 feet long and weighed 990 pounds!
Hardly anything about giant squids is known. But these recent sightings are helping scientists turn the mysterious creatures from science fiction to science fact!
I'm Adelbert and that's what happened in Science this week!
Can you tell one squid from another? Let's find out in this week's Match Game!
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