The colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, is a deep-sea squid of the Southern Ocean believed to be the heaviest invertebrate species known, potentially exceeding the giant squid in total body mass though not in overall length. It is notable for possessing swiveling hooks, rather than only suckers, on portions of its tentacles and arms, and its enormous eyes, among the largest in the animal kingdom, are thought to help it detect the faint bioluminescent glow of approaching predators such as sperm whales in the deep ocean darkness.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Living or Extinct Scientific NameMesonychoteuthis hamiltoni 1 Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Colossal Squid (Wikidata)
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Chile, found in there.
Sources
1. Colossal squid (Wikipedia)
Introduction
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
It is known to inhabit the circumantarctic Southern Ocean.
Lead section
It is presumed to be an ambush predator, with a diet including various fish, and is likely a key prey item of the sperm whale.
View the Source2. Colossal Squid (Wikidata)
WikidataStatements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
- Child Taxon Of: Cephalopoda, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source 3. Wikipedia: Colossal Squid
WikipediaSpeciesbox infobox, conservation status parameterQuote, Speciesbox infobox, conservation status parameter
status = LC
Wikidata: Colossal Squid
Wikidata Q378330, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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