Colossal Squid

[oldrover]

Is this crypto or normal zoology? I am not sure...

Since 2002, Humboldt giant squid, named after the 18th century German explorer, have been spreading their tentacles to deplete fishing stocks by moving from their traditional tropical hunting grounds off Mexico and laying claim to a vast sweep of the Pacific.

It's animals out of they're normal range so yes, its crypto

 

[hunck]

There was a Fantastic Beasts prog on BBC the other day. Slightly irritating Stephen Fry presenting. Dragons, unicorns, mermaids, kraken, Loch Ness monster etc.

One thing which was interesting - the Nat History Museum have a specimen of Giant squid in a tank of liquid. It’s around 6 metres long I think but they said only a juvenile.

In a jar they also have a tentacle tip from a Colossal squid, thought to be even larger than a Giant. A fearsome alien- looking thing with serrated suckers + separate numerous sharp barbs as well. Thought to be able to reach 9 - 10 metres but no-one’s really sure as they’re so seldom seen.

 

[Salmonellus]

There's a preserved colossal squid on permanent display in the Te Papa museum in New Zealand. The museum claims it as "the only colossal squid on display in the world."

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/exhibitions/colossal-squid

I saw it last month and... honestly, it was underwhelming. Sure, it's big. If you were swimming in the ocean and it wrapped its tentacles around your legs it would present a problem. But I grew up reading Lovecraft, and this beast is not Cthulhu size. Here's a pic for scale:

But they do love their squiddo at Te Papa! If you'd like to download a free PDF of the "Colossal Squid Activity Book" , here you go:

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/learn/fo...e-activity-books/colossal-squid-activity-book