The giant squid, a deep-sea species of squid belonging to the Architeuthidae family, is a mysterious creature rarely observed by humans or captured on film in its natural environment. Most of our knowledge about giant squids comes from fishermen discovering them deceased and floating on the water. Until recently, there had been only two documented instances of live giant squids being filmed in the wild—once near the Ogasawara Islands in Japan and once in the Gulf of Mexico. However, by April 2025, there have been additional sightings of giant squid, including the first confirmed footage of a colossal squid in its natural habitat. These sightings suggest that encounters with these elusive creatures are becoming more frequent thanks to advancements in deep-sea exploration technology.
The myth of the Kraken is believed to have originated from sightings of giant squids, which can grow up to nearly 43 feet in length and weigh about one ton. These cephalopods, like other squid and octopuses, possess a beak, eight arms, two eyes, and a siphon. They also have two feeding tentacles equipped with suckers, which they use to capture prey up to 33 feet away. With massive eyes measuring up to 10 inches in diameter, scientists speculate that the giant squid’s vision is adapted to the dark depths where little to no light penetrates.
While it is known that giant squids can release ink as a defense mechanism like other squids, this behavior has never been observed in the wild. Scientists are uncertain whether the giant squid represents a single species within the Architeuthis genus or if there are multiple species, with some researchers theorizing the existence of up to eight different giant squid species. Despite their presence in the oceans not being rare, encountering a live giant squid in its habitat is extremely uncommon.
Giant squids primarily inhabit the deep ocean at depths ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, a region known as the Twilight Zone due to the minimal light exposure. While they are believed to swim worldwide, their sightings are limited, and they are mainly discovered washed ashore after death. These creatures are rarely found in tropical or polar regions, with most discoveries occurring along the Atlantic Ocean coastlines and the southern coast of Africa.
Historically, there have been only a few instances of video footage capturing giant squids swimming in their natural habitat, with notable recordings in 2012 near Japan and in 2019 in the Gulf of Mexico. However, recent advancements have led to additional recordings of giant squids, including the first confirmed video of a colossal squid in its natural habitat. Notably, during a 2019 expedition funded by NOAA, Dr. Nathan Robinson and Dr. Edie Widder were exploring the ocean’s depths beyond 3,280 feet, known as the midnight zone, when they encountered these remarkable sea creatures.
The underwater depths where giant squids reside are dark and devoid of sunlight. In a video featured on the OceanX YouTube channel, researchers reveal the process behind capturing footage of these elusive creatures, as well as a harrowing incident where they almost lost their valuable recording. Using a specialized deep-sea camera equipped with red light to observe sea life without causing disturbance, the team also utilized a jellyfish lure to attract large predators. During a review of recorded footage off the coast of New Orleans, scientists were thrilled to spot a giant squid swimming at a depth of 2,490 feet, estimated to be around 10 to 12 feet long. However, their excitement was momentarily tempered when a sudden lightning strike from a nearby storm damaged one of their laptops, jeopardizing the video data that had not yet been backed up. Fortunately, the footage was saved thanks to a functional laptop. This groundbreaking video footage of a giant squid in its natural habitat provides scientists with valuable insights into the behavior of this enigmatic creature, offering new perspectives beyond the traditional study of deceased specimens. Observing the squid’s reaction to the electronic jellyfish lure suggests it is a visual predator, actively tracking and hunting prey rather than waiting passively. The discovery sheds light on the active predatory nature of giant squids, challenging previous assumptions. For a firsthand look at this remarkable encounter, watch the video on the OceanX YouTube channel.
