Colossal SquidThis species of squid is the largest known invertebrate animal and largest known squid. It is thought that the colossal squid can grow up to 15 metres long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds. Not much is known about these animals as they can only be found in the extreme depths of the Antarctic Ocean, making them very hard to study. The colossal squid has the largest eye out of any animal in the animal kingdom.
With not much knowledge about these creatures not much is known about their skeletal system. What is known, is that like all other squid, they have 8 tentacles and 2 longer feeding tentacles that allow them to bring food to their beak. Their beak is made of the same material that makes insect skeletons and bird beaks (chitin). At the end of their tentacles they have sharp swiveling and 3 pointed claws. They maneuver their massive bodies with fins that seem very small for their enormous size. They use their funnel as a propulsion system, drawing water into the main part of the body, and forcing it out the back. Compared to the giant squid they are wider stouter and heavier. The mantle of the colossal squid is longer than that of a giant squid but the tentacles are shorter. |