The rare Antarctic gonate squid has been acknowledged since 1898. Yet, it took more than a century for researchers to finally observe this squid alive. This creature resides deep beneath the Antarctic glaciers and has been an elusive target for discovery for over a hundred years. It was sheer luck that allowed scientists to view this rare organism for the first time.
As reported by National Geographic, the Antarctic gonate squid washed ashore in the late 1800s. However, expeditions to the remote southern regions had never yielded a live observation of this unusual squid—until last year. During a voyage aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Falkor (too), scientists had to alter their planned research area due to hazardous weather conditions.
This unexpected stop resulted in our inaugural glimpse of this rare squid, which floats through the frigid waters of the dark Antarctic regions of the Weddell Sea. The squid was observed approximately 7,000 feet beneath the surface, near the boundary of an area called the Powell Basin. The researchers watched as the squid swam through the water, ultimately releasing a plume of greenish ink.
Even though it has been known for over a century, many scientists contend that this marks the first observation of this rare squid in its natural habitat and still alive. Measuring around three feet in length, the Antarctic gonate squid isn’t as large as some of the enormous squids seen in the ocean. Nonetheless, its elusive nature has rendered it an even more fascinating target for researchers.
There is little information regarding the exact locations of these rare squids, or how many may still exist today. This discovery serves as yet another reminder of the boundless and enigmatic nature of our oceans. The ongoing discovery of peculiar creatures residing on the ocean floor is both thrilling and somewhat unnerving.
To provide context, it is frequently said that we have a better understanding of Mars’ surface than we do of our own oceans. This statement carries weight, as we still comprehend so little about our neighboring planet, despite years of exploration conducted by NASA’s rovers.
