//World’s Rarest Deep-Sea Monster Caught on Camera for the First Time — And It’s Just a Baby! //
In a groundbreaking marine science discovery that has captured global attention, scientists have finally filmed a living colossal squid in its natural habitat — not a mythical adult beast, but an adorable, translucent baby. This stunning footage ends a century-long search and marks a historic moment for ocean exploration, offering a rare glimpse into one of the most mysterious and elusive creatures ever known to science.
🐙 Baby Colossal Squid Captured on Camera in Antarctic Waters
On March 9, 2025, researchers aboard the exploration vessel Falkor (too) made marine history near the South Sandwich Islands. Operating a remotely controlled submersible robot known as ROV SuBastian, the team recorded the first-ever footage of a living baby colossal squid nearly 2,000 feet below the ocean surface.
The squid, with its shimmering blue-speckled translucent body and orange tentacles, mesmerized scientists as it floated calmly in the pitch-black water. Experts confirmed its identity as a colossal squid — the world’s largest invertebrate, which can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh over 1,100 pounds.
👀 Why Is This Discovery So Incredible?
For over 100 years, the colossal squid has been the unicorn of the sea. Known only through fragmented remains found in whale stomachs and rare encounters with dying specimens, scientists have never before documented a live sighting deep in its Antarctic home.
Until now.
Kat Bolstad, a squid researcher at Auckland University of Technology, called the moment “one of the most exciting observations” in her career. She confirmed the footage showed a juvenile specimen — just under one foot long — displaying remarkable detail including:
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360-degree rotating hooks on its tentacles (a defining trait)
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Shimmering, iridescent eyeballs
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The ability to shift from transparent to opaque using specialized skin cells
🧪 Ocean Census Mission Unlocks a Hidden World
The footage was part of a 35-day deep-sea expedition organized by the Ocean Census, an international project seeking to catalog Earth’s unknown marine species. The mission aimed to uncover new lifeforms, but capturing a colossal squid — even a baby — was beyond their wildest expectations.
Marine biologist Aaron Evans, who specializes in glass squids (the family to which the colossal squid belongs), said he began “hyperventilating” when he spotted the creature’s tell-tale arm hooks on camera.
Evans explained that the squid’s huge eyes, the largest of any known animal, likely help them spot research vehicles long before human cameras detect them — explaining why they’re so good at evading capture.
🌌 A Majestic Creature in a Monster's Body
Despite its terrifying reputation, the baby colossal squid behaved peacefully and curiously, watching the submersible approach before slowly swimming away.
“It looked like it was deciding whether to trust us,” said Bolstad. “This isn’t a monster. It’s a delicate, fascinating animal — and this is how we’re introducing the colossal squid to the world.”
Adult colossal squids, often the subject of mariner legends and horror stories, will likely be harder to capture on video. But scientists hope that this tiny star will spark greater interest — and funding — in exploring Earth’s last frontier: the deep sea.
📸 Why This Moment Matters for Science — and for Us
This baby squid isn’t just a scientific treasure — it’s a reminder that nature still holds secrets we’ve yet to uncover. In a world increasingly mapped, studied, and digitized, the deep ocean remains a vast, largely unexplored mystery teeming with life we've only begun to understand.
From climate change monitoring to new medicine discoveries, these expeditions could redefine our relationship with the planet. And thanks to this squid's brief appearance, scientists — and the world — are more inspired than ever to keep exploring.
🦑 Quick Facts: The Colossal Squid
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni |
| Max Length | Up to 23 feet |
| Weight | Up to 1,100 pounds |
| Habitat | Antarctic deep sea |
| Special Features | Rotating tentacle hooks, massive eyes, color-changing skin |
| First Discovered | Early 20th century from whale stomach remains |
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The deep sea remains one of the most magical, mysterious places on Earth. And the baby colossal squid — glowing softly beneath the Antarctic waves — is a reminder that wonder still exists, far below the surface.