Giant squid filmed alive in deep sea for first time

The mysterious and mythical giant squid has never been spotted alive in the deep sea -- until now. A team from Japan's National Science Museum has captured footage of a giant squid in its natural habitat: nearly a third of a mile below the surface of the ocean. It is the first such video of its kind.

Giant squids, which can grow up to 60 feet in length, have been found dead on beaches and photographed in the ocean and -- more often -- on the surface. But scientists have never seen video of the strange creature below the waves, until a mission put together by the Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) and the Discovery Channel filmed the elusive beast off the coast of Japan.

"The giant squid was so beautiful that it seemed to sparkle," Tsunemi Kubodera, one of the lead scientists on the expedition, told reporters. "I was so thrilled when I saw it first hand, but I was confident we would because we rigorously researched the areas we might find it, based on past data."

Kubodera, a zoologist and giant squid expert with Japan's National Museum of Science, has spent years searching for the huge sea creatures. His team filmed a giant squid on the surface of the ocean in 2006.

An image of the giant squid filmed underwater by Japan's National Science Museum

/ NHK/NEP/DISCOVERY CHANNEL

Using a manned submarine, Kubodera and his colleagues took 100 trips below the surface to spot the stealthy squid. The team used a specially designed camera to capture high definition images in deep water.

Giant squids are predators who hunt in the deep sea further down than light can reach. Because of this, acquiring footage of the creatures has been a tremendous challenge, and has led to many rumors and myths about the animals. It is believed that the ancient myth of the Kraken, a sea monster large enough to devour ships and the sailors on them, originated with the giant squid.

The video will be aired in America on the Discovery Channel on January 27.

[Farvanoogy]

Too bad the US scientists had to go to Japan to film this. We used to have some pretty good submersibles here in the States, but no money so they'e gone. One shuttle launch could funded us for over 100 years.See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=830PA7PpeWQ

[represt]

Interesting story, but lame footage. it may as well been a cartoon.

[facelessdrone2005]

Without any frame of reference, it would be incredibly easy to fake this. Squids all basically look alike, and it's not like there is a measuring tape out there. For all we know, they could have put their camera a couple of feet away from a little squid and, filmed it, and then PRESTO! "We have film of a giant squid."

[bonkeydolls]

wheres the video?

[jobless42long]

Maybe it's friends with the Yeti or Bigfoot.

[venusvegasvada]

That is so cool. Way to go!

[Jonseen]

I do think it's interesting! These creatures have been legend for most of my lifetime... it's fun to see more and more info about them emerging. And now, underwater footage of the squid in its own environment? Yes, that's an exciting thing for the Discovery Channel. Looking forward to it. :)

[OgreBattle]

Awesome, I'm glad that a live giant squid's been filmed in my lifetime

[OgreBattle]

Awesome, I'm glad that a live giant squid's been filmed in my lifetime

[ron_zo]

Who care about this squid

[boutaro]

who care about grammar