Here There Be Sea Monsters: FAQ about the Giant Squid

As the old Norse joke used to go: 

"Hey Larry, what's Kraken?"

"A Giant Squid!"

Back in the day (we're talking 17th - 18th century here) ocean explorers, sea farers, sailors, and anyone foolish enough to get on an exploration ship, were often prepped for their voyages by being told frightening tales of the Kraken.  The Kraken was a legendary giant squid that was predisposed to viciously attacking ships just willy-nilly and resulting in certain death for all on board.  It was apparently fond of hanging in colder waters, in the general Iceland/ Norway/ Sweden vicinity.  Among other tall tales (verified by men with peg legs and eye patches) the Kraken could destroyed an entire ship just by quickly diving back into the deep, thereby creating such a powerful whirlpool that the ship would be doomed to the black depths of the sea.  If the Kraken were to attack your ship...well forget it.  No chance of survival.  For the Kraken's size was likened to an island, and its tentacles a quarter mile long.  

Chances were those men were a little seasick, a little scared, but most likely just gullible.  But the those seafaring men were not completely foolish.  The Giant Squid does indeed exist, and with science and technology constantly improving, we are now on the verge of understanding the secrets of the Giant Squid.  If for nothing else, this animal intrigues us so because it's huge, it's reclusive, it's real, and it wants nothing to do with us.

How big are they?  Last year the largest known squid was caught off of New Zealand, it was 10m long (that's over 30 ft).  In fact, if calamari rings were to be made from this catch, they'd be the size of tractor tires.  This specimen also happened to be a Colossal Squid, bigger than its Giant Squid cousin, it's been estimated they can grow up to 14m.  These squids are the largest invertebrates in the world.

Where do they live?  They have been known to be in primarily frigid waters.  Because they live in very deep depths, and are dispersed in terms of community, it is hard to pinpoint a likely location for these beautiful beasts.  It's also been assumed that these animals very rarely meet, in fact, mating is an arduous process.  One that involves swimming many, many miles to find a mate.  It's not a very romantic process, so details won't be provided, as it's likely to gross you out.

What do they eat?  They are generally carnivores, and will eat other much smaller squids, a variety of fish, and shrimp.  It has also been suggested, like the quintessential display in the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, that the giant squid can occasionally attack whales. But chances are the giant squid, no matter his size, will not take on an adult blue whale.  He will most likely try his hand at a juvenile whale if he decides to attack at all.

What's unique about these animals?  Well, you have your pick.  Science has also recently confirmed that the giant squid is also the owner of the world's largest eyes.  Which is a little odd, considering the depths they live in.  Eyesight is almost of no use, light does not penetrate in the deep.  But large eyes do help capture what little light does filter down, although they hunt primarily by smell.  What else is creepy about these squids is that, like other cephalopod members, it has a beak for a mouth at the base of its body where the tentacles meet.

With technology constantly improving, and our world seemingly getting smaller, it will probably only a matter of time before we can discover the true nature of the giant squid.  And that will be a coming out party that it will not want to attend.