--- title: "Scientists Capture Living Giant Squid" description: "A giant squid washed ashore in Japan, representing perhaps the first time a live specimen of the creature has been taken into captivity." date: "2022-04-25" modified: "2022-04-25" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-capture-giant-squid" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "deep ocean" - "giant squid" - "nature" - "the digest" --- # Scientists Capture Living Giant Squid ![A giant squid washed ashore in Japan, representing perhaps the first time a live specimen of the creature has been taken into captivity.]() *\Image: AFP via Twitter\* ## Spotted A massive ten foot giant squid washed ashore in western Japan, giving an ultra-rare glimpse of one of the biggest cephalopods known to lurk the deep sea — and likely the first time a live specimen [has ever taken into captivity](). According to Japanese newspaper *The Mainichi*, the squid was [miraculously found alive]() despite being a long way from home. It has since been transported to a local Aquarium in the nearby city of Sakai. A video shared by *Agence France-Presse* shows the massive creature in a shallow pool, stretching out its massive tentacled arms. It's unclear if the squid is still alive — but given environmental factors, [it's not looking likely](). https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1517406552776667136 ## Elusive Giant Deep sea research vessels have made several sightings of giant squids in the past. Last year, a camera platform dubbed "Medusa" [recorded amazing footage]() of the elusive giants. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also [managed to get footage of a juvenile giant]() back in 2019. The agency estimates it was anywhere between ten to 12 feet long. There's a lot we don't know about the species. We still aren't entirely sure where they roam, but carcasses have been found in all of the Earth's oceans, [according to *National Geographic*](). They are also believed to have the largest eyes in the entire animal kingdom, measuring ten inches across, which allow them to see even in the darkest environments, many miles below the ocean's surface. The largest squid to have ever been recorded by scientists measured almost 43 feet, [according to *The Smithsonian*](). One corpse discovered in 1887 may have even been [nearly sixty feet long](). Giant squids still fascinate scientists to this day. Sightings are still incredibly rare — but, of course, that's just part of the appeal. **READ MORE:** [3-meter-long giant squid found stranded on Sea of Japan beach]() \[*The Mainichi*\] **More on giant squid:** *[Deep Sea Creature Surprises Researchers Exploring Shipwreck]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()