Giant squid caught on video for the first time ever in U.S. waters
- 5 years ago
GULF OF MEXICO — A kraken-esque giant squid was captured on video for the first time ever off U.S. waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
The rare footage was released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week and shows a juvenile giant squid swim toward the camera in a 28-second long video.
NOAA said the squid was about 10 to 12 feet long and was found around 100 miles southeast of New Orleans on June 19.
According to CBS News, the squid appeared to wrap its tentacles around the NOAA's underwater stealth camera called the Medusa before making a quick getaway into the darkness.
According to the NOAA, the Medusa uses red lights that are invisible to creatures at deeper depths.
The NOAA said the camera was able to draw the attention of the squid due to an "e-jelly" lure which emulates the bioluminescence of jellyfish.
CBS News reported that scientists with NOAA were looking to explore the deepest parts of the Gulf to study the effects lack of light has on animals at depth.
The rare footage was released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week and shows a juvenile giant squid swim toward the camera in a 28-second long video.
NOAA said the squid was about 10 to 12 feet long and was found around 100 miles southeast of New Orleans on June 19.
According to CBS News, the squid appeared to wrap its tentacles around the NOAA's underwater stealth camera called the Medusa before making a quick getaway into the darkness.
According to the NOAA, the Medusa uses red lights that are invisible to creatures at deeper depths.
The NOAA said the camera was able to draw the attention of the squid due to an "e-jelly" lure which emulates the bioluminescence of jellyfish.
CBS News reported that scientists with NOAA were looking to explore the deepest parts of the Gulf to study the effects lack of light has on animals at depth.