A giant squid washed up on El Sablón beach in Llanes, northern Spain, last weekend.
The giant squid (Architeuthis dux), a deep-sea creature that inspired the legendary Kraken monster, is rarely seen. The first footage of them was recorded only a decade ago, and very few specimens have been found, whether alive or dead. The giant squid is the largest living invertebrate on Earth, with females reaching lengths of up to 13 meters while males are about 10 meters long. The Cantabrian Sea in northern Spain is one of the few habitats of the giant squid, attracting the particular interest of any scientist wishing to study this elusive creature.
An intact giant squid on the beach. (Photo: Cofradia de Pescadores de Llanes).
“Giant squids exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. Researchers estimate that the maximum weight of females is 312 kg and that of males is 178 kg,” Newsweek quotes Luis Laria, president of the Marine Animal Research and Protection Coordination Council (CEPESMA). “Males have a shorter lifespan than females and mature earlier. They live for about one year, while females can live 2 to 3 times longer.”
Although harmless to humans, giant squids are not suitable for consumption like their smaller relatives. This is due to their muscle mass containing high levels of ammonia, which is very toxic. CEPESMA operates a museum dedicated to giant squids, which specializes in preserving and studying specimens that wash ashore.
The fate of the squid that washed ashore at El Sablón beach has yet to be determined. Environmental technicians from Asturias moved the carcass shortly after its discovery. Authorities will decide in the coming days whether to transfer it to CEPESMA.
| Giant squids live in depths far below the ocean surface, often reaching hundreds of meters, where light can hardly penetrate. They hunt using two long tentacles that help capture and bring prey into their beak-like mouths, according to National Geographic. Their diet includes fish, shrimp, and other squid species. Some experts even suggest they may be capable of taking down and eating small whales. The eyes of the giant squid are among the largest in the animal kingdom, measuring 25 cm in diameter. This large organ allows them to detect objects and prey in dark environments. |
