In a groundbreaking marine biology discovery, scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) have recorded the first confirmed live footage of a juvenile colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) in its natural habitat. This historic footage was captured at a depth of 600 meters (1,968 feet) near the remote South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean on March 9, 2025.
🦑 A Colossal Milestone in Deep-Sea Exploration
The colossal squid—the largest known invertebrate species on Earth—can grow up to 7 meters (23 feet) in length and weigh as much as 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds). Until now, scientists had only studied dead specimens or remains found in predator stomachs. The newly filmed squid was a 30-centimeter-long juvenile, recorded using the remotely operated vehicle SuBastian.
This momentous discovery coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the formal identification of Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, a species belonging to the glass squid family Cranchiidae.
🌊 Back-to-Back Discoveries: Glass Squid Species Filmed for the First Time
Just weeks earlier, on January 25, researchers filmed the first-ever footage of the glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) during a separate expedition in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. Like the colossal squid, G. glacialis had never been observed alive in the wild until this expedition.
These sightings were confirmed by global experts, including Dr. Kat Bolstad from Auckland University of Technology and Dr. Aaron Evans, both renowned for their work on the glass squid family. They noted that one of the key differences between the species lies in the presence of hooks on the colossal squid’s arms.
🧭 The Mission: Ocean Census Expedition
The 35-day expedition was part of the Ocean Census, a collaborative project between the Schmidt Ocean Institute, The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, and GoSouth (a joint initiative involving the University of Plymouth, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre, and the British Antarctic Survey).
Led by Dr. Michelle Taylor of the University of Essex, the team used real-time telepresence technology to consult experts around the world during the expedition. Their goal: to discover and document new marine species in the unexplored depths of the ocean.
“It’s exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal squid,” said Dr. Bolstad. “For a century, we’ve only known these creatures from carcasses or stomach contents. Now, we’re finally seeing them alive.”
📸 More Deep-Sea Firsts by Schmidt Ocean Institute
The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s ROV SuBastian has now captured the first live footage of at least four deep-sea squid species, including:
- Spirula spirula (Ram’s Horn Squid) – 2020
- Promachoteuthis – 2024
- Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni – 2025
- Galiteuthis glacialis – 2025
With another unidentified squid species footage currently under expert review.
💡 Why This Matters for Ocean Science
These discoveries underscore how little is known about deep-sea biodiversity, especially in the Southern Ocean. As Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director of Schmidt Ocean Institute, put it:
“These back-to-back sightings remind us of how mysterious and majestic our oceans are. Every expedition is a step toward unveiling the unknown.”