For the first time ever, scientists have captured video of a live colossal squid in its natural deep-sea habitat, ending a century of speculation about the elusive giant of the Antarctic.

It happened on March 9, 2025. Roughly 1,968 feet below the surface, near the South Sandwich Islands, a young colossal squid glided unexpectedly into the camera frame of a remotely operated vehicle. Researchers watching the live feed were stunned. They weren’t even searching for squid that day.

A surreal moment in science: squid on screen

The remotely operated vehicle, nicknamed SuBastian, was exploring the cold depths off the research vessel Falkor (too), owned by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The crew was conducting a routine dive when the event happened.

The reaction from the control room? Equal parts silence and shouting.

One of the researchers described the scene as “like seeing a unicorn underwater.” Others simply froze, trying not to blink as the rare creature moved silently across the frame.

This wasn’t just a glimpse. The squid lingered in view long enough for the team to confirm it wasn’t just any cephalopod, but something truly special.

What we thought we knew about the colossal squid

Up until this footage, almost everything scientists knew about the colossal squid came from dead remains—many of which had been partially digested in the bellies of sperm whales.

The first signs of its existence came in 1925. Two arm crowns were discovered in the stomach of a sperm whale caught near the Falkland Islands. A British zoologist, Guy Robson, identified the animal and gave it the name Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni.

And that was pretty much it for a long time.

In 1981, a full specimen was finally found. In 2003, researchers recovered a 17.7-foot female weighing around 661 pounds. Then came the big one in 2007—over 1,000 pounds and now preserved at the Museum of New Zealand.

But no one had ever seen one alive in its own backyard.

The deep sea doesn’t give up its secrets easily

To be fair, the colossal squid makes its home in one of the most remote and inhospitable parts of the planet. The Southern Ocean is cold, dark, and mostly unexplored. That’s its territory.

The SuBastian ROV was operating nearly 2,000 feet below sea level when it spotted the juvenile squid. At that depth, sunlight doesn’t reach. The pressure is intense. Equipment malfunctions are common. Yet somehow, that’s where science caught up with legend.

One paragraph. One sentence.

“We were in the right place at the right time,” said one of the lead marine biologists onboard. “And the squid, apparently, decided to show up.”

Just how big are these things, anyway?

Let’s talk size—because colossal isn’t just a name. It’s a warning.

Here’s a quick comparison of the biggest verified specimens found so far:

No one knows how big they can really get. The species could grow longer and heavier than any squid ever recorded.

• Colossal squid have eyes the size of soccer balls.

• They’re believed to have rotating hooks on their tentacles.

• They may be ambush predators, not active hunters.

So yeah, nightmares from the deep are very much real.

Why this sighting matters more than you’d think

At first glance, this might sound like a quirky headline—“rare squid caught on camera.” But it’s bigger than that. Much bigger.

For starters, it validates decades of theoretical research based on scraps and assumptions. Marine biologists now have video evidence to support long-standing ideas about the squid’s movement, size, and even behavior.

Second, it opens the door for further observation. Now that one has been seen, researchers are optimistic there may be more chances ahead.

And third, it’s a win for technology. Without advanced ROVs like SuBastian, discoveries like this simply wouldn’t be possible.

Could this change how we study deep-sea life?

Absolutely. This one moment may shift the way oceanographers design their deep-sea expeditions.

Right now, most deep-sea research is focused on hydrothermal vents, rare mineral deposits, or unique coral structures. Colossal squid were always considered too rare, too hard to find, and too unpredictable to plan for.

That might change now.

One researcher mentioned they’re already reviewing past footage to see if they missed any earlier sightings. Another suggested revisiting previously dismissed ROV videos from the same region.

There’s suddenly a fresh sense of urgency.

People are weirdly emotional about squid now

In case you’re wondering, yes—Twitter (or X, whatever we’re calling it now) went wild.

Memes? Oh yes. Squid plushies, tentacle gifs, and wild jokes about Poseidon’s pet running loose again.

But there’s also a surprising amount of awe.

“This might be the coolest thing I’ve seen in years,” wrote one user. “Proof we still don’t know jack about our own planet.”

Another simply said: “Nature wins again.”

And honestly? Hard to argue with that.