The National Science Museum in Japan has captured live footage of a giant squid. The squid in the film is thought to be approximately 26 feet long.
For the first time, researchers were able to find and film the elusive deep-sea creature in its natural habitat. Japanese public broadcaster NHK, working together with The Discovery Channel, spent over 400 hours tracking the giant squid. Researchers made almost 100 trips to the area, east of Chichi Island in the north Pacific Ocean, following the squid to depths of up to 900 meters.
The footage reveals the massive silvery creature, carrying a bait squid in its arms. As reported by Discovery , the scientists were enthralled with the results of their quest. Squid specialist Tsunemi Kubodera explains the experience:
“It was shining and so beautiful. I was so thrilled when I saw it first hand, but I was confident we would because we rigorously researched the areas we might find it, based on past data.”
“Researchers around the world have tried to film giant squid in their natural habitats, but all attempts were in vain before. With this footage we hope to discover more about the life of the species.”
The giant squid, or Architeuthis, is referred to as one of the “last mysteries of the ocean.” Although sailors have reported sightings of the elusive creatures for centuries, their presence has never been recorded live.
The only other existing filmed footage of a giant squid was taken from a boat as a giant squid had been captured and was being brought to the surface. The new footage however has broken new ground by featuring the mysterious creature in its natural habitat.
As reported by phys.org , the scientists concentrated their efforts on the area off Chichi Island after giant squid sightings in 2006 and again in 2012.
The resulting documentary, Monster Squid: The Giant Is Real , will premier on The Discovery Channel in January 27.