While exploring the Tonga Trench in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean, researchers captured extremely rare footage of a Magnapinna squid with arms several times the length of its body.
Cameras at the bottom of the Tonga Trench have captured rare footage of a bigfin squid (Magnapinna), a deep-sea cephalopod with spindly arms that stretch several feet. The squid was filmed at 10,800 feet (3,300 meters) beneath the ocean’s surface, providing researchers with a rare glimpse of this elusive species.
Bigfin squid are known for their long, disproportionate arms and are the deepest-dwelling squid species, surviving at depths over 20,000 feet (6,100 meters), according to the Ocean Conservancy. Only around a dozen sightings of this species have been recorded.
Alan Jamieson, a deep-sea scientist at the University of Western Australia, who led the expedition, described the sighting as a “lucky encounter.” “We always hope to see this type of animal,” Jamieson said, noting that the squid was likely feeding when it was filmed.
The footage shows the squid walking along the seafloor before pulsing its large fins. While it appeared to be tugging on something, Jamieson explained it was likely just pulling its sticky arms off the seafloor.
Scientists estimate the squid’s body was 8 to 12 inches long, with arms several times longer. Bigfin squid can grow up to 26 feet in length, including their arms.
Source: Live Science
