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The giant squid (Architeuthis dux, pictured) was for a long time thought to be the largest extant cephalopod. It is now known that the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) attains an even greater maximum size. The giant squid seen here measured 9.24 m (30.3 ft) in total length and had a mantle length of 1.79 m (5.9 ft).
Estimates have been put together based on the number of giant squid beaks found in the stomachs of deceased sperm whales, a known predator of the giant squid, and the better-known population of sperm whales. Based on such observations, it has been estimated that sperm whales consume between 4.3 and 131 million giant squid annually, implying ...
The giant squid also exhibits abyssal gigantism, but the colossal squid is heavier. [29] Although it is unclear what the maximum weight for colossal squids is, analysis of squid beak dimensions from sperm whale stomachs provided estimates that colossal squids may weigh up to 700 kg or 1,500 lb. [5] [6]
A piece of sperm whale skin with giant squid sucker scars. Sperm whales usually dive between 300 and 800 metres (980 and 2,620 ft), and sometimes 1 to 2 kilometres (3,300 to 6,600 ft), in search of food. [157] Such dives can last more than an hour. [157]
Marine Patch says that they can dive 2,000 meters, or about 6,200 feet for up to two hours while hunting giant squid, sharks, skates, and fish. "Squid just so happens to be the sperm whales ...
O'Shea (2003b) put the maximum weight of female giant squid at 275 kg (606 lb), based on the examination of some 105 specimens as well as beaks recovered from sperm whales (which do not exceed the size of those found in the largest complete specimens; some of the heaviest recent specimens include #491 and 524).
Apart from two partial specimens (#2 and 3) recovered from sperm whale stomachs in the mid-1950s—initially misidentified as belonging to the giant squid genus, Architeuthis [2] —and a single juvenile individual of 86 mm (3.4 in) mantle length , [3] little else was known about the species until additional specimens began receiving coverage ...
The egg size can range from 0.75 to 0.9 mm, and the hatchling size has a mantle length of approximately 1.0 mm. [6] Purpleback squids are among the fastest-growing squid species, as the daily increase of overall length in the dwarf and middle-sized forms is about 1.0 mm; for the giant form, it is about 3.8 mm. [6]