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Colossal Squid

Mollusks

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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.

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