* The colossal Squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni)

* The colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, from Greek mesos (middle), onyx (claw, nail), and teuthis (squid)), sometimes called the Antarctic or giant cranch squid, is believed to be the largest squid species in terms of mass.

*Taxonomy

*Kingdom – Animalia*Phylum – Mollusca*Class – Cephalopoda*Order Teuthida*Family – Cranchidae*Subfamily - Taoniinae*Genus –

Mesonychoteuthis*Species - hamiltoni

* It is known from only a few specimens, and current estimates put its maximum size at 12–14 m (39–46 ft) long, based on analysis of smaller and immature specimens, making it the largest known invertebrate.

* Like all squids it has 8 short tentacles and 2 longer tentacles that end in a paddle.The tentacles have suckers and barbs on them.The squid moves by jets of water expelled from the siphon and muscular contractions of the tail fins.It has the largest eyes and beak of any squid species

* 2007 – The largest recorded specimen was captured by a New Zealand fishing boat off Antarctica. It was estimated to measure 10 m (33 ft) in length and weigh 450 kg (990 lb)

* Its body is wider and stouter, and therefore heavier, than that of the giant squid. Colossal squid are believed to have longer mantles than giant squid, although their tentacles are shorter.

* The beak of M. hamiltoni is the largest known of any squid, exceeding that of Architeuthis (giant squid) in size and in robustness.

* The colossal squid also has the largest eyes documented in the animal kingdom; a partly collapsed specimen measured 27 cm (11 in).

* Unlike the giant squid, whose arms and tentacles only have suckers lined with small teeth, the colossal squid's limbs are also equipped with sharp hooks: some swivelling, others three-pointed.

* The squid’s range extends thousands of kilometres northward from Antarctica to southern South America, southern South Africa, and the southern tip of New Zealand

* It is believed to feed on prey such as such as the Patagonian toothfish, and other squid in the deep ocean. It is a slow-moving ambush predator, using its large eyes primarily for predator detection rather than active hunting

* The adult colossal squid ranges at least to a depth of 2.2 km (7,200 ft), and juveniles can go as deep as 1 km (3,300 ft).

* As an adult it is preyed on by large Sperm Whales. As a juvenile some sharks and beaked whales will prey on smaller individuals.

* Beaks and parts of tentacles are found in Sperm Whale stomachs.

* As in all squid, females are much larger than males. Little is known of breeding habits.

* It is a very rare species, with most observations restricted to the one that was caught, a few found decaying on beaches and parts found in Sperm whale stomachs.

*Sources:*En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossal_squid*Marinebio.org/species/asp?id=247*News.bbc.co.uk/2/hiu/sci/tech/

2910849.stm*Deepseanews.com/2013/10/how-big-is-a-

colossal-squid-really