The fabled giant squid is a member of the genus Architeuthis – a deep ocean creature who lives far beneath the black depths of the deepest oceans on earth. Up to eight distinct species make up the commonly referred to “giant squid” group, all of whom reach frightening proportions. Females in these species are largest, scientist estimate females have the capacity to grow up to 43 feet long (13 m) while the males top out around 33 feet (10 m). It is thought to be second in size only to another rarely-seen cousin, the colossal squid.

These huge creatures are so rarely sighted that the first actual photographic evidence they existed at all in the wild was only recorded in September of 2004 while a Japanese whale watching group snapped some shots of the first recorded giant squid. The same team which took the photographs also were responsible for the first video evidence of the creatures, alive in nature, two years later in 2006.

The biology of this giant is a matter of great interest for scientists who are very excited about the complexity of the its brain and nervous system. In addition, aside from the colossal squid, giant squids have the largest eyes of any living creature, which allows them to see using bioluminescent light deep under the water where natural light is too dim. Giant squids discard the ability to see color for an enhanced ability to distinguish between tone which is more useful for underwater sight.

Fact: giant squids have a diverse diet which revolves around smaller marine species, mostly fish and other squid, which the giant squid can capture using tentacles riddled with serrated sucker rings which hold and rip their prey. It has 8 arms like an octopus and additionally two tentacles that are much longer than their arms. These long tentacles account for their being so long in overall length.