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'''Collosal Squid''' are huge and rarely seen sub-species of [[Squid]]. It is thought that they can grow upwards of 12 to 14 metres in length and large beaks belonging to Collosal Squid are found in the stomachs of deep diving [[Sperm Whales]]. They are found usually in the [[Southern Ocean]] and around the waters of [[New Zealand]].
{{Taxonomy
|name=Colossal squid
|image=
|caption=
|domain=Eukaryota
|kingdom=Animalia
|subkingdom=Bilateria
|branch=Protostomia
|superphylum=Lophotrochozoa
|phylum=Mollusca
|subphylum=
|infraphylum=
|microphylum=
|superdivision=
|division=
|subdivision=
|superclass=
|class=Cephalopoda
|subclass=Coleoidea
|infraclass=
|superorder=Decapodiformes
|order=Oegopsida
|suborder=
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|families=
|family=Cranchiidae
|subfamily=Taoniinae
|supertribe=
|tribe=
|subtribe=
|genera=
|genus=Mesonychoteuthis
|subgenus=
|species=M. hamiltoni
|binomialname=
|syn=
|sub=
|alt=
|regionimg=
|pop=Unknown<br/>data deficient
|conservation=Least concern<ref>https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/163170/980001</ref>
}}
The '''colossal squid''' (''Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni'') is a species of cephalopod of the family Cranchiidae, and found in the southern Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans adjacent to [[Antarctica]]. Its scientific name means "squid with central hook", alluding to the large claw-shaped chitin hooks on its tentacles.
The large squid are very rarely seen as they live in the deep ocean and only surface when near death. Recently a 10 metre Collosal Squid was caught by a [[New Zealand]] fishing trawler. It is on display at the [[New Zealand]] National [[Museum]].
==Description==
The colossal squid is the largest known invertebrate animal, exceeding in size and mass, if not total length, the [[giant squid]] (''Architeuthis dux''). It has an overall length estimated to be 46 feet long, and weigh over 1,000 pounds; females are 10% larger than males. The mantle of the colossal squid is extremely compact and barrel-shaped, the fins lying at the back of the mantle are very large and strong, making it a fast swimmer. The eyes are the largest known in the animal kingdom, with a diameter of 12 to 16 inches. It has eight relatively short tentacles and two longer tentacles thickened at the tips, bearing the large hooks on the tips. The skin is predominantly dark pink in color.
Little is known about colossal squid as only a few specimens have been studied, either caught by fishing trawlers, or remains recovered from the stomachs of [[sperm whale]]s as a result of [[whaling]]. It was first discovered in 1925, with few reported sightings or catches since then. In 2003 the first complete catch of a 20-foot female was reported<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2910849.stm - news story, 2 April 2003</ref>. The most spectacular catch was documented on February 22, 2007, when New Zealand fisherman pulled out of Antarctic waters a 15-foot, 1,091 pound female caught on a bait line<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6385071.stm - news story, 22 February 2007</ref>. The animal was examined in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and preserved in a chemical bath<ref>https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/exhibitions/te-taiao-nature/colossal-squid</ref>.
==References==
<small><references/></small>
==See also==
*[[Squid]]
[[Category:Molluscs]]