Massive 22ft giant squid washes up on New Zealand beach - video
|
Version 0 of 1. A New Zealand aquarium has released images showing a massive giant squid that washed up on a beach on the country’s South Island on Tuesday. The Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium released the incredible images of the 22ft squid after they were made aware of the giant squid that washed up on the beach near the northern town of Kaikoura. The pictures show the deep sea creature’s giant beak, 16cm diameter eyes and 16-foot long tentacles covered in suckers. The squid was taken by staff at the Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium so that it could be displayed for visitors in a large glass refrigerator. Scientists examine the squid's eye (Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium) Close-up of the squid's massive suckers (Kaikoura Marine Centre and Aquarium) A Spokesperson for the centre said: "Before the birds got to it, we got help to move it to the aquarium on display until we can do more with it.” It is now believed that samples from the squid will be given to both Auckland and Otago universities so that they can be studied further. Giant squids spend most of their time in the depths of the ocean and as a result are very rarely seen in their natural environment. Most of what scientists know about the mysterious creatures is from studies of specimens that wash up on the beach, like the one in New Zealand. |