Architeuthis dux

The giant squid, genus Architeuthis, is a large, elusive mollusk found in deep ocean waters. It is considered one of the largest living invertebrates, rivaling the colossal squid. Giant squids possess a mantle, head, eight arms, and two long tentacles equipped with suckers for capturing prey like fish and crustaceans.12

Their eyes are among the largest in the animal kingdom, measuring up to 27 cm (10.6 inches) in diameter, which aids in detecting predators like sperm whales in the deep sea. While historical accounts and some debated measurements suggest lengths exceeding 18 meters (59 feet), examined specimens typically reach about 13 meters (43 feet). Much of our understanding comes from carcasses, but the first images of a living adult were captured in 2004, with video footage following in 2012. The giant squid is classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN.21