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General Discussion => Off-Topic => Topic started by: ConfusedUs on 2005-09-28, 06:16



Title: Giant Freakin Squid!
Post by: ConfusedUs on 2005-09-28, 06:16
Quote
LONDON (Reuters) - Japanese scientists have taken the first photographs of one of the most mysterious creatures in the deep ocean -- the giant squid.


Until now the only information about the behavior of the creatures which measure up to 18 meters (59 feet) in length has been based on dead or dying squid washed up on shore or captured in commercial fishing nets.

But Tsunemi Kubodera, of the National Science Museum, and Kyoichi Mori of the Ogasawara Whale Watching Association, both in Tokyo have captured the first images of Architeuthis attacking bait 900 meters (yards) below the surface in the cold, dark waters of the North Pacific.

"We show the first wild images of a giant squid in its natural environment," they said in a report on Wednesday in the journal Proceedings B of the Royal Society.

Little is known about the creatures because it has been so difficult to locate and study them alive. Large ships and specialist equipment, which is costly, are needed to study deep sea environments.

The Japanese scientists found the squid by following sperm whales, the most effective hunters of giant squid, as they gathered to feed between September and December in the deep waters off the coast of the Ogasawara Islands in the North Pacific.

They used a remote long-line camera and depth logging system to capture the giant squid in the ocean depths.

"The most dramatic character of giant squids is the pair of extremely long tentacles, distinct from the eight shorter arms. The long tentacles make up to two-thirds of the length of the dead specimens to date," the scientists said in the journal.

They added that the giant squid appear to be a much more active predator than researchers had suspected and tangled their prey in their elongated feeding tentacles.

National Geographic has some really good photos, but I'm sure there's more to come!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/20...quid/index.html (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/09/photogalleries/giant_squid/index.html)


Title: Re: Giant Freakin Squid!
Post by: Lopson on 2005-09-28, 10:44
They were after this kind of squid for decades. I'm glad they have discovered this kind of squid. Yet another discovery for humankind.


Title: Re: Giant Freakin Squid!
Post by: shambler on 2005-09-28, 13:40
I remeber all the old films where the squid attacks a sub, or something. as if it could.


Title: Re: Giant Freakin Squid!
Post by: Phoenix on 2005-09-28, 18:20
You mean the Japanese actually DIDN'T harpoon a whale on sight for once?  :shout:


Title: Re: Giant Freakin Squid!
Post by: Woodsman on 2005-09-29, 16:00
Quote from: [KruzadeR
] They were after this kind of squid for decades. I'm glad they have discovered this kind of squid. Yet another discovery for humankind.
 The giant squid has been known about since the time of the ancient  greeks. photos have been taken of dead ones before when they were caught in fishing nets but this is the first time a live one has been photographed.


Title: Re: Giant Freakin Squid!
Post by: Lopson on 2005-09-29, 20:37
That's not what I heard. Ah well, it still is a discovery.