The Colossal Squid

Barely anyone knows about the mysterious Colossal Squid. The only evidence is washed up bodies that show us a lot. The colossal squid is not to be confused with the giant squid. The giant squid is longer, but the colossal squid is wider and heavier. The large colossal squid grows to  39 to 46 feet long and reaches a weight of 1,100 pounds. The main body of the squid, called the torso, is about 3 feet wide. Its large head is what makes it stand out against other squids. Its body's colors are almost bright pink-to light red with white specks all around.

The main diet of the colossal squid consists of large fish, such as the Patagonian toothfish and other colossal squids. Colossal squid are found in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, all the way to South America and South Africa. Colossal squid are ambush predators. Ambush predators are animals that surprise animals and use tactics like venomous bites, grabbing prey and biting animals so that they cannot escape. The colossal squid grabs prey and squeezes it until it suffocates and dies. Then, the colossal squid will slowly shove the prey up its beak, and chemicals inside its stomach break up the meat until the pieces are an inch long.

The colossal squid's scientific name is Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. The colossal squid may be huge, but it has only two known predators. The sperm whale is a predator of the giant squid and colossal squid. Sperm whales with scars are mostly a bull male sperm whale, which are the main predators. Colossal squid arms have been found in the stomachs of sperm whales. Southern Elephant Seals sometimes attack young colossal squids. The colossal squid is super rare. No footage of colossal squid has ever been taken. Only one video of a giant squid has ever been taken. Colossal squid are very mysterious and very cool!