30 April 2008
A very careful process
Posted by chrispaulin under Colossal squid | Tags: Colossal squid, measurements |As the scientists were attempting to move the colossal squid, it became apparent how gelatinous the tissue is. We want to keep the squid as intact as possible for display, so they are reassessing how to turn it successfully.
Currently there are 6 people assisting - but it has been decided to leave the specimen upside down and fix it in place before trying to turn it over.
The measurements indicate that the mantle length is comparable to that of the 2003 specimen, also held at Te Papa, but this specimen is 195 kg heavier! The two long tentacles that the fishermen observed have shortened and shrunken considerably post mortem, giving a final total length of 4.2 metres.
It is apparent from the examination of these two specimens over the last few days that these are incredibly plastic animals, and dimensions obviously change considerably!
The beak, however, is made of hard chitonous material and not subject to shrinkage: the lower rostral beak length of the 495 kg specimen is 42.5 mm - beaks up to 49 mm have been found in sperm whale stomachs, therefore these animals must attain much much bigger sizes than this!
That’s life on squid row!


30 April 2008 at 6:21 pm
I’m stunned at how short it is!
30 April 2008 at 6:27 pm
Hi
Does anyone know, how old this giant is??
30 April 2008 at 6:30 pm
we think this specimen is about 3 years old, however, as we are trying to keep it intact for display we will not be removing the statoliths, from which scientists can determine the age. we successfully removed the statoliths from the 161 kg specimen, so it can be aged later.
30 April 2008 at 6:30 pm
On the off chance that this is helpful:
I was thinking if you got a large piece of plywood or similar, you could lash the squid to the wood with the tarp, then flip it over while it was kept intact.
30 April 2008 at 6:36 pm
Do you know what sex it is yet?
And how long it is?
30 April 2008 at 6:50 pm
wow this is soooo exciting!!! Thanks for all the different angles and views of the camera’s.
Couldn’t you just pee from the excitement …
30 April 2008 at 7:32 pm
More people might reduce the physical stress on the animal in the rotation process.
30 April 2008 at 7:35 pm
Updates? Please?
30 April 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hey I’ve got a good idea….why don’t you try freezing it…oh…..
1 May 2008 at 7:58 am
Hey, just found the link to this site. Totally gutted that I missed the thawing process videos, etc. But am enjoyig reading the comments.
1 May 2008 at 1:06 pm
How big do they get to be?