Giant Squid

== Description ==
The giant squid (Architeuthis dux ) is a species of deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae. It can grow to a tremendous size, offering an example of deep-sea gigantism: recent estimates put the maximum size at around 12–13 m (39–43 ft) for females and 10 m (33 ft) for males, from the posterior fins to the tip of the two long tentacles (longer than the colossal squid at an estimated 9–10 m (30–33 ft), but substantially lighter, due to the tentacles making up most of the length). The mantle of the giant squid is about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles (but including head and arms) rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft). Claims of specimens measuring 20 m (66 ft) or more have not been scientifically documented.
== Appearance ==
Like all squid, a giant squid has a mantle (torso), eight arms, and two longer tentacles (the longest known tentacles of any cephalopod). The arms and tentacles account for much of the squid's great length, making it much lighter than its chief predator, the sperm whale. Scientifically documented specimens have masses of hundreds, rather than thousands, of kilograms.
== Distribution ==
Giant squid are distributed in all the oceans of the world, usually in association with continental and island slopes. Concentrations of species found range from the North Atlantic Ocean, especially Newfoundland, Norway, northern British Isles and the oceanic islands of the Azores and Madeira; the South Atlantic in southern African waters; the North Pacific around Japan, and the southwestern Pacific around New Zealand and Australia; circumglobal in the Southern Ocean. Specimens are rare from tropical and high polar latitudes
== Lifestyle ==
Since scientists have never observed giant squid alive in their natural habitat, they cannot say what its behavior is like. There is no way to know for sure how Architeuthis individuals interact with each other. One thing that scientist have hypothesized is that Architeuthis may be solitary hunters. They believe this because no two Architeuthis have ever been caught in fishing nets together.
== Diet ==
For many years, nobody knew what the giant squid utilized for food. This is because they have never really been observed in the wild. Some recent studies on dead individuals have shown that giant squid eat deep-sea fishes, such as orange ruffie, and hokie. They also eat other types of deep-sea squids. As large as these animals are, they would probably be able to capture almost anything, maybe even whales.
== Reproduction ==
Little is known about the reproductive cycle of giant squid. They are thought to reach sexual maturity at about three years old; males reach sexual maturity at a smaller size than females. Females produce large quantities of eggs, sometimes more than 5 kg (11 lb), that average 0.5 to 1.4 mm (0.020 to 0.055 in) long and 0.3 to 0.7 mm (0.012 to 0.028 in) wide. Females have a single median ovary in the rear end of the mantle cavity and paired, convoluted oviducts, where mature eggs pass exiting through the oviducal glands, then through the nidamental glands. As in other squid, these glands produce a gelatinous material used to keep the eggs together once they are laid.
== Main References ==
https://animalia.bio/giant-squid
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Architeuthis_dux/
Category:Animals
Category:Animalia
Category:Cephalopoda
Category:Oegopsida
Category:Molluscs
Category:Architeuthidae
Category:Architeuthis
Category:Carnivores
Category:Piscivores
Category:Molluscivores
Category:Mollusca
Category:Squids
Category:Aquatic Animals
Category:Natatorial Animals
Category:Nocturnal Animals