Giant squid
Architeuthis dux
Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.
The giant squid is an elusive deep-water cephalopod with exceptionally long feeding tentacles. Much of its biology is known from specimens rather than routine sightings.
Historical photograph of a giant squid specimen.
At a glance
- Location
- Deep ocean waters, where direct observations remain uncommon.
- Habitat
- Open ocean
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Food
- Fish and other squid.
Classification
- Common name
- Giant squid
- Browse group
- Molluscs
- Scientific name or taxon
- Architeuthis dux
- Taxon rank
- species
- Order
- Oegopsida
- Family
- Architeuthidae
- Genus
- Architeuthis
- Source classification
- Cephalopoda
Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.
Three things to know
- It has two specialised feeding tentacles.
- Eight shorter arms guide food toward the beak.
- Its eyes are exceptionally large.
Habitat and range
Deep ocean waters, where direct observations remain uncommon.
Appearance and adaptations
Eight shorter arms surround the mouth, while two feeding tentacles extend much farther. Large eyes collect light in the deep sea.
Diet and behaviour
Feeding tentacles seize prey and pass it to the arms and beak. Sperm whales are among its predators.
Sources
- Smithsonian Ocean: Giant squid
- GBIF: Giant squid · Directory entry
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