Holy tentacles! Giant squid caught off Louisiana (about 19 1/2 foot long)

[merh]

Holy tentacles! Giant squid caught off Louisiana
By JANET McCONNAUGHEY - Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- Government scientists off Louisiana's coast reached down more than 1,500 feet and pulled up a giant squid - the first ever caught alive in the Gulf of Mexico.

(~snip~)

This one - an immature animal about 19 1/2 feet long and 103 pounds - was alive when it was netted July 30 during a practice trawl for a study planned in January of the endangered sperm whales in the northern Gulf of Mexico and their food supply.

(~snip~)

But, since it was dead by the time it was hauled onto the deck and was frozen on shipboard - it was far too big for any specimen bottle - that can't be confirmed until it's thawed and injected with formaldehyde by scientists in hazmat suits.

(~snip~)

more @http://www.sunherald.com/218/story/1617145.html

It's sad that it died as they brought it on board, wish they didn't have to kill things to do their studies.

[wroberts189]

1. Damn.. and it was just a baby. Send a sub next time please. nt

[merh]

2. Ain't that the truth.

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. Calimari, anyone?

[sabrina 1]

4. Lol, that was mean! n/t

[bermudat]

5. Looks delish

[wroberts189]

7. You have kids? I do not but I will tell you one thing...

They will not know seafood as we do.

I hope you enjoy your last fruits of the earth.

[AsahinaKimi]

9. With the size of the one caught...

I would think you would need a larger plate.

[merh]

20. Is that a photo of the one they caught?

My source didn't have a photo.

Wow, so sad it had to die for science.

[jus_the_facts]

21. Here's a photo of the one they caught......

[merh]

22. thank you

[jus_the_facts]

23. You're most welcome!!

[KamaAina]

14. Down there, that'd be good on a po'boy loaf

similar to this one with shrimp:

[Robb]

24. No, calamari *everyone*. nt

[NickB79]

25. Giant squid are filled with ammonia for buoyancy

Blech.

[Sebastian Doyle]

26. Then maybe they should be trained to wash windows?

10 arms and their own supply of Windex? Why the Hell not?

[sabrina 1]

6. I just saw a show on the Discovery Channel I think it was, a few

weeks ago and they were talking about how they've been finding these huge squids and trying to figure out why they are so big. Snakes also, they've found some giant snakes.

Poor thing, but if that was still a baby, I wonder how big the mother and father are?

[Hannah Bell]

8. There's no mystery. "Giant squid" is a known species. "Colossal squid" is even bigger.

The Colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle), nychus (claw), and teuthis (squid)), sometimes called the Antarctic or Giant Cranch Squid, is believed to be the largest squid species. It is the only known member of the genus Mesonychoteuthis. Though it is known from only a few specimens, current estimates put its maximum size at 12–14 metres (39–46 feet) long, based on analysis of smaller and immature specimens, making it the largest known invertebrate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_squid


The giant squid (genus: Architeuthis) is a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae, represented by as many as eight species. Giant squid can grow to a tremendous size: recent estimates put the maximum size at 13 metres (43 ft) for females and 10 metres (33 ft) for males from caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles (second only to the colossal squid at an estimated 14 metres (46 ft), one of the largest living organisms). The mantle is about 2 metres (6.6 ft) long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles is about 5 metres (16 ft). There have been claims reported of specimens of up to 20 metres (66 ft), but no animals of such size have been scientifically documented.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_squid


They were identified over 100 years ago. Discovery must be going downhill.

[merh]

10. As the article states, the one they netted was immature.

[Hannah Bell]

11. not sure what your point is. it's 19.5 feet. this isn't full growth for a giant squid.

the surprising thing was that it was caught in the gulf of mexico, not that it was 19.5 feet.


The majority of squid are no more than 60 centimetres (24 in) long, although the giant squid may reach 13 metres (43 ft).<4>

In February 2007, a Colossal Squid weighing 495 kg (1,091 lb) and measuring around 10 metres (33 ft) in length was caught by a New Zealand fishing vessel off the coast of Antarctica.<8>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squid






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken

[merh]

12. I read the article, I'm the one that posted it. I'm well aware the

surprising thing is the location of the catch.

I was merely responding to your post that contained references to the various lengths they can grow to.

You can betcha I won't waste my time in the future responding to your posts.

Not worth it - can't believe you take this attitude in a thread with such a simple topic.

[Hannah Bell]

13. ??? this attitude? sorry if you took it wrong. i didn't have any attitude,

i just didn't get your point.

[dionysus]

15. you DLC squid lover!!11!!

[Skidmore]

16. Probably grew up sucking on oil residue.

[Arugula Latte]

17. I freaking LOVE giant squids!

Eyes the size of dinner plates! Killer beaks! Massive stinging tentacles that scar sperm whales! They are AMAZING!

[Beaverhausen]

18. LOOK WHAT WE FOUND!!! LET'S KILL IT!!!

These nets out there trapping anything and everything that swims by need to be eliminated.

[zonkers]

19. Sometimes I can't stand humans and the miseries they/we create.