The carcass of a giant squid was washed onto the shore of a beach in South Africa. According to the South African news site news 24 (opens in new tab), the giant squid was the second one to show up on the beach this year.
Live Science reported on April 30 that the last giant squid (Architeuthis dux) to wash up on a beach in South Africa was on Long Beach in Kommetjie. The cephalopod was approximately 11 feet in length. The largest giant squid ever seen was 43 feet (13 m) long, and some studies suggest it could be 66 feet (20 m) long, although no squid of such size has ever been seen.
The squid that washed onto the beach appeared to be an A. dux, according to Mike Vecchione. "Although other large squids exist, I am fairly certain this is a true giant squid," he said in an email.
A variety of giant squid species, including the colossal squid, compete with A. dux, according to some scientists.
There are a lot of giants in the sea.
Giant squid species beak reveal (by attending marine biologist) - Scarborough wreck this morning. pic.twitter.com/9Mr9QbjZmiAugust 16, 2022
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It's difficult to figure out how the squid died without an examination of its internal organs. A lot of the skin has abraded and some of the arms are broken off, but this can be caused by washing up on the rocky shore. The skin on the squid's mantle was white in the sun.
It may be that the squid ventured into shallow, near-shore waters to feed and got hit by a ship propeller, but it's difficult to prove without witnesses. According to the literature, they come up into shallow waters because of diel vertical migration. They migrate back and forth between shallow and deep waters during the day and during the evening.
Giant squid live in frigid waters some 1,640 to 3,280 feet (500 to 1,000 m) beneath the ocean surface, and they use their dinner plate-size eyes to peer through the dark. The squids are most often seen on the shores of New Zealand and the Pacific islands, as well as on the east and west side of the North Atlantic.
There are strandings of Architeuthis on South African shores. There are several places around the world where they show up frequently.
The tissue samples from the squid carcass will be examined by researchers at the Iziko South African Museum. Such samples could be used to sequence the animal's genes and run chemical analyses to detect pollutants in its flesh. An examination of the animal's stomach would give clues about the squid's feeding habits.
The squid's reproductive organs and statoliths could be used to determine how old the squid was based on how long it had been there. Studies show that giant squid can live to be about 5 years old.
The availability of information on giant squids is poor due to the fact that dead or dying animals can be found in commercial nets. He said that the Iziko South African Museum has a collection of giant squid that were mostly acquired through strandings or catches during bottom trawling.
It was originally published on Live Science
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