GIANT SQUID

The giant squid is one of the most mysterious and awe-inspiring deep-sea creatures on Earth. For centuries, it inspired tales of sea monsters like the kraken, but only in recent decades have scientists begun to understand it.

Overview

Class: Cephalopoda (squids, octopuses, cuttlefish)
Phylum: Mollusca
Order: Oegopsida
Scientific Name: Architeuthis dux
Length:: Up to 12–13 meters (39–43 ft) for females, slightly less for males. Some unconfirmed reports suggest even larger.