The colossal calmar, the largest species of calmar in the world, was filmed for the first time by swimming in its natural habitat, according to a research organization on the ocean.
This calmar, as its name suggests, can reach up to 23 feet in length and 1,100 pounds – the heaviest invertebrate in the world – according to the Schmidt Ocean Institute. But the creature that the institute took on video was a minor with one foot.
It was recorded on March 9 near the southern sandwich islands of the South Atlantic Ocean at a depth of almost 2,000 feet, according to a press release from the non -profit organization. Cammar was officially appointed and identified in 1925 but had only been recorded alive.
Cammar, officially appointed Mesonychotuthis HamiltonIwas recorded during a 35 -day expedition which was aimed at finding a new marine life, the statement said. Scientists aboard the Institut Falkor Research Ship captured the Calmar video with its remote vehicle called Subastian.
Calmars lose their transparent bodies as they age, and dying adults have already been recorded by fishermen, but a colossal calmar had not been seen alive at such depth.
“It’s exciting to see the first in situ images of a colossal and humiliating juvenile to think that they have no idea that humans exist,” Kat Bolstad said Auckland University of Technology in the press release. Bolstad was consulted to check the video, according to the Institute. “For 100 years, we have mainly encountered them because the prey remains in whale and sea stomachs and as predators of the dental fish harvested.”
During a January expedition, the team also captured the first video of the icy glacial squid (called Galiteuthis Glacialis), according to the Institute. This creature has never been seen living before in its natural environment.
“The first observation of two different calmars on consecutive expeditions is remarkable and shows how little we have seen the magnificent inhabitants of the South Ocean,” said Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, in the press release.
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