Giant Squid - Size

Size

The giant squid is the second-largest mollusc and the second largest of all extant invertebrates. It is only exceeded by the colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, which may have a mantle nearly twice as long. Several extinct cephalopods, such as the Cretaceous vampyromorphid Tusoteuthis, the Cretaceous coleoid Yezoteuthis, and the Ordovician nautiloid Cameroceras may have grown even larger.

Giant squid size, particularly total length, has often been exaggerated. Reports of specimens reaching and even exceeding 20 m (66 ft) are widespread, but no animals approaching this size have been scientifically documented. According to giant squid expert Steve O'Shea, such lengths were likely achieved by greatly stretching the two tentacles like elastic bands. However, it may be possible that giant squid could grow bigger. In 2006, on the "History Channel" documentary "MonsterQuest" episode "Giant Squid Found", an expedition to the Sea of Cortez led by Scott Cassell, Doug Hajicek, and Dale Pearson used a "Humboldt Squid" carrying a specially designed camera clipped to the humboldt's fin. The camera-bearing squid caught on film what was perhaps the largest squid of any species ever recorded. Size estimates put the animal, (a possible member of Architeuthis or some other large unrecorded squid species) at between 18 m (59 ft) and 33 m (108 ft). If the latter estimate is correct, this unknown squid is possibly as long as a Blue Whale, making it the largest living cephalopod known.

Based on the examination of 130 specimens and of beaks found inside sperm whales, giant squids' mantles are not known to exceed 2.25 m (7.4 ft). Including the head and arms, but excluding the tentacles, the length very rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft). Maximum total length, when measured relaxed post mortem, is estimated at 13 m (43 ft) for females and 10 m (33 ft) for males from caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles.

Giant squid exhibit sexual dimorphism. Maximum weight is estimated at 275 kg (610 lb) for females and 150 kg (330 lb) for males.