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Colossal Squid and Giant Squid Pictures |
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The giant squid, Architeuthis dux, is the second largest invertebrate, reaching lengths up to 35 feet. It has two rows of suckers lined with small teeth on the inner surface of eight arms and two tentacles, but no hooks as on the colossal squid. At the base of the arms, they have a parrot-like beak characteristic of other cephalopods. Giant squid are wide-ranging usually found near continental and island slopes from the North Atlantic Ocean to the South Atlantic, the North Pacific around Japan, and the southwestern Pacific around New Zealand and Australia. They inhabit all areas in the Southern Ocean. The colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, is believed to be the largest squid species. It is the only known member of the genus Mesonychoteuthis. It is also known as the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid. Only a few specimens have been examined but it is believed to grow to up to 45 feet, making it the largest known invertebrate. The colossal squid has arms and tentacles equipped with suckers lined with sharp teeth, and also with sharp hooks, some of which swivel, and some if which have three points. Its body is stout and heavier than that of the giant squid, with a longer mantle and shorter tentacles, and a much larger beak. It has the largest eyes of any creature in the world. It primarily lives in the Southern Ocean, from Antarctica to the southern edges of New Zealand, South Africa and South America.
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Picture of a full-scale model of an immature colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, is deployed for filming for the Discovery Channel series 'Animal Face-Off.' Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. South Pacific Ocean
Picture #: 094041 |
Image of giant squid, Architeuthis dux.Visitors view the specimen on display at the Mote Marine Lab Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida
Picture #: 083524 |
Stock photo of Kat Bolstad measuring the largest and most complete specimen of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, known to science at present - specimen accidentally taken by longline in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Picture #: 094054 |
Photo of the sessile or non-swivelling mid-arm hooks on a small specimen of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Macquarie Island, south Indian Ocean
Picture #: 094048 |
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Picture of brachial crown (arms and tentacles) and beak of the giant squid, Architeuthis dux - specimen taken as trawl bycatch in the South Pacific Ocean off New Zealand
Picture #: 094027 |
Image of a beak of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, specimen taken accidentally by longline in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Picture #: 094051 |
Stock photo of New Zealand teuthologist Dr. Steve O'Shea examines the sessile, non-swivelling, arm hooks of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, specimen taken accidentally by longline in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Picture #: 094056 |
Photo of brachial crown (arms and tentacles) and beak of the giant squid, Architeuthis dux - specimen taken as trawl bycatch in the South Pacific Ocean off New Zealand
Picture #: 094028 |
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Picture of the mid-arm sessile or non-swivelling hook and suckers from a Colossal Squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, accidentally caught on a longline in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Picture #: 094055 |
Image of head of a defrosting specimen of the giant squid, Architeuthis dux, taken as trawl bycatch in South Pacific Ocean off New Zealand
Picture #: 094034 |
Stock photo of a giant squid, Architeuthis dux, which has never been seen alive as an adult, but is often taken as bycatch by deep-sea trawl fisheries, as was the fate of this specimen from the south Pacific Ocean off New Zealand
Picture #: 094035 |
Photo of the tentacle clubs of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, specimen taken accidentally by longline in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Picture #: 094059 |
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Picture of New Zealand teuthologist Dr. Steve O'Shea with the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, this specimen, an immature female taken accidentally by longline in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, is the largest and most complete of this species known to science
Picture #: 094053 |
Image of New Zealand teuthologist Dr. Steve O'Shea examining a small specimen of the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Macquarie Island, south Indian Ocean
Picture #: 094046 |
Stock photo of New Zealand teuthologist Dr. Steve O'Shea examining a half-grown colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, lower specimen, with a fully grown giant squid, Architeuthis dux, upper specimen, for size reference, at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, specimens are from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, and south Pacific Ocean off New Zealand, respectively
Picture #: 094061 |
Photo of squid beaks from the stomach contents of a sperm whale, Physeter catodon, stranded on Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, South Pacific Ocean, including beaks from the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, held left and lower right-hand corner, and a giant squid, Architeuthis dux, held right and upper right-hand corner
Picture #: 094063 |
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