Valerie Varnuska of the Westbury, New York area, maintains an interest in various areas of astronomy and earth science, including plants, rocks, and oceans. In the realm of earth science and oceans, Valerie Varnuska is particularly curious about creatures who dwell within the ocean’s deepest depths.

Among the most enigmatic of such creatures is the giant squid, a solitary species of squid that can grow over 40 feet long. Scientists confirmed the existence of the giant squid in the mid-1800s. The giant squid shares many physical characteristics with other squid species, including large eyes, eight arms, two feeding tentacles, and a beak at the center of its arms. Its arms and feeding tentacles feature toothed suckers that allow it to capture prey, which mainly consists of deep-sea fish and other squid.

Although more than 150 years have passed since the giant squid’s discovery, scientists still know little about its natural behavior. These animals live between 1,000 and 3,000 feet beneath the surface, making them one of the most difficult animals to study. A few surface-level sightings have occurred over the years, but all involved accidental catches by deep-water fishing nets or encounters with a sick or dying squid. Most information about giant squids have come from studying carcasses found washed ashore or retrieved from the stomachs of deceased sperm whales.

Furthermore, researchers only succeeded in observing live giant squid in their natural environment within the last two decades. A Japanese squid expert took the first still images of a giant squid in deep waters in 2006, but video footage remained non-existent until a research team in 2012 managed to lure one close to a deep-sea camera via optical lures that mimic the Atolla jellyfish’s bioluminescent displays. In 2021, another expedition captured the first footage of hunting behavior using the same technology.