From: @arthur-lesters-left-eyebrow
To: You (!)
Hello,
I've noticed you reblogged a lot of things about the colossal squid. As a giant squid enjoyer, I feel like I'd be an easy convert.
Would you like to convert me to Collosal Squid appreciation?
Sincerely,
Me
HELLO! SQUID <333 im a fan of both colossal and giant theyre both so so cool.
COLOSSAL SQUID!! So where we are pretty sure the giant squid is the longest the colossal is the largest in terms of weight. We have not seen many of them so theres no definitive answer to the upper limit of their growth, estimates range from 3-8-18 metres in size.
Where your giant squid is an active hunter (look how streamline it is and all the long tentacles ooo the pretty) the colossal squid is presumed to be an ambush predator. Theyre much less streamlined with their very large bell. They also have much shorter tentacles (meaning most their length/size is in their head as well).
Colossal squid have the largest eye of any creature on earth. Theyre much less move it back and forwards to focus rather than from side to side as we do. They also dont have a blind spot due to a retina like we do because they dont have a retina, instead the optic nerve is directly connected to the eye itself. Their eye is supposed to have developed inorder to avoid predators, specifically sperm whales who are their main predator and the creatures we have found most squid bits in. Their eyes are supposed to have developed for long range so that they can see sperm whales from a distance greater than their sonar range.
We first discovered them in 1925 via the stomach of a sperm whale. When the whaling industry was happening scientists on board would look through the guts of the whales. What usally survives of the squid is their beaks which are made of chitin (like all squid beaks) however these beaks are able to be told apart from giant squid due to the darkness of the beak (the darker the beak the more chitin the stronger it is). The beaks are also evolved to be very very hard at the tip and softer where they meet the flesh of the squid to allow for movement controlled by a sphincter muscle. A lot of our estimates about the size of the squid has been made from beak size.
Most sightings have been of dead and/or dying squid. It seems that when they are in lower pressure water their skin becomes more elastic, its unknown if this is a phenomenon that only happens after death. Its believed they spawn in shallower waters and as the squid ages it sinks to the depths. We found a baby squid this year in its natural habitat which is cool as fuck, this baby also confirmed that the colossal squid is related to glass squids. We think the colossal squid can change colour.
Its believed that like the giant squid the colossal squid has its own order/genus (i forgot which word it is)
Where the giant squid can be found anywhere that isnt the arctic (or maybe the antarctic? I forgot which pole my bad) the colossal squid has been found only in the antarctic. Its believed its the increase availability of oxygen and also Antarctic gigantasism which means the squid is so large.
Also they have revolving hooks on their club tentacles which is very cool and not seen on any other squid (while squid like the humbolt have hooks/teeth they dont spin and latch onto flesh in the same way)
Thats all i remember at the moment. Thanks for letting me yap.
