Why is this animal unusual?
It’s the heaviest animal without a backbone on Earth. Where the giant squid has suckers, the colossal squid has hooks – some of which can swivel all the way around.
Why does it look like that?
Those eyes are about 27 cm across, the largest of any known animal. Scientists think they’re that big for one reason: to spot the faint glow stirred up by an approaching sperm whale in time to escape.
Strangest biological feature
The eyes – each with its own built-in headlight.
Why is it strange?
It was named in 1925, but nobody filmed a live one in its natural home until 2025. A hundred years of knowing an animal exists without ever seeing it swim.
Interesting behavioral facts
Despite the monster looks, it’s probably a slow ambush hunter. One study estimated that a half-tonne colossal squid could get by on about 30 g of fish a day.
Records held
Heaviest invertebrate. Largest eyes in the animal kingdom. Largest beak of any squid.
