Squid Pro Quo

(AP)  An Australian museum got its tentacles on one of the most elusive creatures known to man.

Melbourne Museum took possession Wednesday of a rare 550-pound giant squid dredged up by fishermen from deep waters off the southern coast of Australia.

A live giant squid has never been seen — and scientists flock to the rare examples snared by fishermen in the hope of finding out more about their life cycles.

Melbourne Museum visiting scientist Mark Norman described the giant squid as one of the "last true monsters of the deep."

The specimen caught last week will be preserved and likely go on display, museum spokesman Kate Milkins said.

Milkins said the squid was 12 feet long, but including its two long feeding tentacles, which did not make it to the museum, it would likely measure 36 feet.


©MMI The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed