The Motherhood Diary

The first confirmed wild footage of a colossal squid shows a youngster

The Motherhood Diary Source: Schmidt Ocean Institute (opens in a new tab)

A remotely operated vehicle recorded a small juvenile deep in the South Atlantic.

Dated news brief · April 15, 2025

Scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute's Falkor (too) recorded the first confirmed footage of a colossal squid alive in its natural setting. The animal was a juvenile, roughly 30 centimetres long.

Sunlight filters through underwater kelp. Illustrative photograph, not an image of the specific event or discovery reported.
Illustrative photograph, not an image of the specific event or discovery reported. Photo: Kristin Hoel / Unsplash.

The sighting occurred on March 9, 2025, near the South Sandwich Islands. The remotely operated vehicle SuBastian filmed it about 600 metres below the South Atlantic's surface. The institute announced the identification the following month.

Naming an animal and watching it live in its environment are different achievements. This recording offered a rare view during the centenary year of the species' formal naming. The original release links to the team's footage.

Before pressing play

Predict what a young squid might look like, then compare the ideas with the recording. Notice its proportions and movement. Keep “juvenile” in the conversation: this is an early life stage, not an adult size guide.

Read the institute's report.

Illustrative photograph, not an image of the specific event or discovery reported. Photo: Kristin Hoel / Unsplash.

Know someone who would enjoy this?

Back to everything

A few more pieces to spend a little time with.

From the kitchen table

Share yours — we read every one. A person reads each comment before it appears, which takes a little while and is the reason this stays a kind place.

Nothing here yet. Yours could be the first.

Join the Den to take part in the conversation with other members. Every comment is read by a real person before it appears here.

Join the Den Already a member? Sign in

The Mama Who Knew

One email a week, early on Sunday. The week’s news, one recipe, one story, and a line or two from us. Everything here is free to read, whether or not you join.