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Colossal Squid

Mollusks

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
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Marine 1
Relationship to People
No Significant Interaction with Humans 2
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Scientific Name
Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni 1
Conservation Status
Least Concern 5
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 4
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Cephalopoda, Taxa
Source Colossal Squid (Wikidata)

In Biome

Abyssal Zone, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni

In Ecosystem

Ross Sea, Ecosystems
Source Colossal squid (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Chile

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

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.
  • In Ecosystem: Ross Sea, Distribution and habitat
    Colossal squid are also often sighted near Cooperation Sea and Ross Sea because of its prey and competitor, the Antarctic toothfish.
View the Source
2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
    There are no known adverse affects of M. hamiltoni on humans.
  • In Biome: Abyssal Zone, Habitat Regions, biome: abyssal
    abyssal abyssal
View the Source
3. Colossal Squid (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Statements 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
4. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Cephalopoda
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 67993
Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 67993
"cites_listing":"II/NC","eu_listing":"B/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":"Mollusca","class":"Cephalopoda","order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"头足纲","language":"ZH"}],"cites_listings":[]
View the Source
5. Wikipedia: Colossal Squid
WikipediaInfobox: status
Quote, Infobox: status
LC
View the Source
Wikidata: Colossal Squid
Wikidata Q378330, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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