Giant squid - the mysterious 150 years to have the solution

Giant squid, also known as Architeuthis, is one of the most mysterious creatures of the ocean.

Photo: Wikimedia.

Since ancient times, the legend of animals shaped like squid but very large size has appeared in many cultures. They are also called Kraken in Norse mythology. However, for hundreds of years no one has directly seen the giant squid. They only appear in paintings, such as the illustrated cover of Jules Verne's "Twenty thousand miles under the sea".

Photo: Getty.

Stories of giant squid species with the ability to pull even large ships or swallow rumored sailors. In "Norway's Natural History", published in 1755, the giant squid is described as big as a small island.

Photo: Wikimedia.

Although not witnessed, humans believe that giant squid exists based on the cracks left on the skin of the sperm whale. Very large squid teeth are also found inside the whale's stomach, suggesting that there is a potential for deep-sea survival battles between fish and giant squid.

Photo: Smithsonian Magazine.

In 1857, the Danish biologist Japetus Steenstrup published research on giant squid teeth, confirming that they were real. He called them the scientific name Architeuthis Dux. Sixteen years later, three fishermen in Conception Bay, Canada, talked about meeting a giant squid trying to sink their ship. Although they did not catch the squid, they also cut the 5-meter-long tentacle section, thereby proving the giant squid was real.

Photo: Norway Museum of Nature.

Although very few cases of giant squid are alive, fishermen often come across their bodies floating in the sea. Pictured is the body of a giant squid found in 1954 in Norway.

Photo: Getty.

In 1997, the National Geographic channel of the US tried to attach a camera to the sperm whale to wait for the meeting with the giant squid but failed. Many marine biologists argue that studying giant squids should only be considered a "hobby" because they are so rare.

Photo: AP.

In September 2004, the first time humans captured giant squid was alive. Two Japanese biologists dropped a hook and bait to a depth of 915 m, then captured the scene where a giant squid tried to use tentacles to catch prey. After being hooked and struggling for 4 hours to escape but failed, the squid died.

Photo: AP.

Tsunemi Kubodera, one of the two scientists, said that encountering giant squid in nature has completely changed the minds of scientists about this animal. Instead of a gentle animal, the giant squid is actually an assassin of the deep sea. In 2006, Mr. Tsunemi recorded the first video of the giant squid, although the squid is only over 3 meters long and weighs nearly 50 kg, which is quite small.

Photo: Discovery Channel.

In 2012, the first giant squid was recorded in its natural state, not captured. Marine biologist Widder used a special camera, emitting blue light like the Atolla jellyfish, to trick the squid into its prey. The giant squid immediately broke in and locked the camera in its tentacles and tentacles, confirming that this was indeed a predator.

Photo: NOAA.

In June 2019, the first giant squid appeared on the camera in the Gulf of Mexico. Nathan Robinson, who led the research, said he recognized the squid after watching more than 20 hours of video back at sea. "I felt like my heart was breaking," Robinson told the NY Times.

Photo: Getty.

The longest squid ever measured is more than 13 meters long. Scientists think this squid can be up to 20 m long. Their eyes may be as big as a basketball. On the tentacles of the squid, the mouths suck enough to make the prey unable to escape once caught.

Photo: Getty.

Despite appearing on camera many times, scientists say the giant squid is still a mysterious animal. Sea water is getting warmer and more acidic, so giant squid can become extinct before humans can delve into them.

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