This list of giant squid specimens and sightings is a comprehensive timeline of recorded human encounters with members of the genus Architeuthis, popularly known as giant squid. It includes animals that were caught by fishermen, found stranded ashore or floating at the water's surface, recovered (in whole or in part) from sperm whales and other predatory species, as well as confirmed giant squid sightings at sea. The list also covers specimens incorrectly assigned to the genus Architeuthis in original descriptions or later publications.
The list generally follows "Records of Architeuthis Specimens from Published Reports" (2001), which was compiled by Michael J. Sweeney of the Smithsonian Institution and includes records through 1999, with additional information taken from other sources (see References).
According to Guerra et al. (2006), 592 confirmed giant squid specimens were known as of the end of 2004. Of these, 306 came from the Atlantic Ocean, 264 from the Pacific Ocean, 20 from the Indian Ocean, and 2 from the Mediterranean Sea. The figures for specimens collected in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans further broke down as follows: 126 in the northwestern Atlantic, 148 in the northeastern Atlantic, 6 in the southwestern Atlantic, 26 in the southeastern Atlantic, 28 in the northwestern Pacific, 43 in the northeastern Pacific, 183 in the southwestern Pacific, and 10 in the southeastern Pacific (Guerra et al., 2006).
Guerra & González (2009) reported that the total number of recorded giant squid specimens stood at 624. Guerra et al. (2011) gave an updated figure of 677 specimens (see table below). Paxton (2016) put the total at around 700 as of 2015, of which c. 460 had been measured in some way. Around 30 of these specimens are exhibited at museums and aquaria worldwide (Guerra et al., 2011). The Centro del Calamar Gigante in Luarca, Spain, had by far the largest collection on public display, but many of the museum's 14 or so specimens were destroyed during a storm on 2 February 2014 ([Anonymous], 2014b; [Anonymous], 2014c).
* Underestimates according to Guerra et al. (2011).
** Includes records from Durban, South Africa.
Giant squid size, and particularly total length, has often been misreported and exaggerated. Reports of specimens reaching or even exceeding 18 m (59 ft) in length are widespread, but no animals approaching this size have been scientifically documented in recent times, despite the hundreds of specimens available for study. It is now thought likely that such lengths were achieved by great lengthening of the two long feeding tentacles, analogous to stretching elastic bands, or resulted from improper measurement methods such as pacing (O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008).
Based on the examination of more than 130 specimens, as well as beaks recovered from sperm whales (which do not exceed the size of those found in the largest complete specimens), the giant squid is not known to attain a mantle length (ML) in excess of 2.25 m (7.4 ft) (O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008). Including the head and arms but excluding the tentacles, it very rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft) (O'Shea & Bolstad, 2008). Maximum total length, when measured relaxed post mortem, is estimated at 13 m (43 ft) for females and 10 m (33 ft) for males, from the posterior end of the mantle and fins to the tip of the two long tentacles (O'Shea, 2003b).
Giant squid exhibit sexual dimorphism. Maximum weight is estimated at 275 kg (606 lb) for females and 150 kg (330 lb) for males, though discredited weights of up to 1 tonne (2,200 lb) can be found in older literature (O'Shea, 2003b).
Records are listed chronologically in descending order and numbered accordingly. Specimens incorrectly assigned to the genus Architeuthis are not counted and are instead denoted with an asterisk (*) and highlighted in pink. Records that cover multiple giant squid specimens, or remains of more than a single animal (e.g. two lower beaks), are highlighted in grey.
Date – Date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed. Where this is unknown, the date on which the specimen was first reported is listed instead and noted as such. All times are local.
Location – Site where the specimen was found, including coordinates and depth information where available. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s), except where additional information is provided in brackets.
Oceanic sector – The quadrant of a major ocean in which the specimen was found (see Oceanic sectors).
Method of capture – Method by which the specimen was recovered or observed. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s), although "washed ashore" encompasses all stranded animals.
Identification – Species- or genus-level taxon to which the specimen was originally assigned. Given as it appears in the cited reference(s). Listed chronologically if specimen was re-identified. Where only a vernacular name has been applied to the specimen (e.g. "giant squid"), this is given instead.
Material cited – Original specimen material that was recovered or observed. Names of anatomical features are retained from original sources (e.g. "jaws" may be given instead of the preferred "beak").
Material saved – Material that was kept after examination and not discarded (if any).
Sex – Sex and sexual maturity of the specimen.
Size and measurements – Data relating to measurements and counts. Abbreviations used are based on standardised acronyms in teuthology (see Measurements), with the exception of several found in older references. Measurements are given as they appear in the cited reference(s), with both arithmetic precision and original units preserved (metric conversions are shown alongside imperial measurements). It should be noted that some of the more extreme lengths and weights found in older literature have been discredited.
Repository – Institution in which the specimen material is deposited. The acronyms used are those defined by Leviton et al. (1985) and Leviton & Gibbs (1988) (see Repositories). Where the acronym is unknown, the full repository name is listed.
Main references – The most important sources, which provide specific data on a particular specimen. These are usually primary sources.
Additional references – Less important sources that merely refer to the specimen without imparting additional information. Includes unobtainable references such as old newspaper articles and personal correspondence.
Notes – Miscellaneous information, often including individuals involved in the specimen's recovery and subsequent treatment and any dissections or scientific analyses carried out on the specimen.
The following table lists the nominal species-level taxa associated with the genus Architeuthis, together with their corresponding type specimens, type localities, and type repositories (after Sweeney & Young, 2003).
The following abbreviations are used in the List of giant squid table.
The genus Architeuthis has a cosmopolitan (Okutani, 2015) or bi-subtropical distribution (Nesis, 2003). The following abbreviations for oceanic sectors are used in the main table. The Atlantic Ocean is divided into sectors at the equator and 30°W, the Pacific Ocean is divided at the equator and 180°, and the Indian Ocean is defined as the range 20°E – 115°E.
NWA, Northwest Atlantic Ocean
NEA, Northeast Atlantic Ocean
SWA, Southwest Atlantic Ocean
SEA, Southeast Atlantic Ocean
NWP, Northwest Pacific Ocean
NEP, Northeast Pacific Ocean
SWP, Southwest Pacific Ocean
SEP, Southeast Pacific Ocean
NIO, Northern Indian Ocean
SIO, Southern Indian Ocean
MED, Mediterranean Sea
Abbreviations used for measurements and counts are based on standardised acronyms in teuthology, primarily those defined by Roper & Voss (1983), with the exception of several found in older references.
AC, arm circumference (AC(I), AC(II), AC(III) and AC(IV) refer to measurements of specific arm pairs)
AD, arm diameter (AD(I), AD(II), AD(III) and AD(IV) refer to measurements of specific arm pairs)
AF, arm formula
AL, arm length (AL(I), AL(II), AL(III) and AL(IV) refer to measurements of specific arm pairs)
ASC, arm sucker count
ASD, arm sucker diameter
BAC, buccal apparatus circumference
BAL, buccal apparatus length
BC, body circumference (assumed to mean greatest circumference of mantle unless otherwise specified)
BD, body diameter (assumed to mean greatest diameter of mantle)
BL, body length (usually equivalent to mantle length, as head length is often given separately)
CaL, carpus length
CL, club length (usually refers to expanded portion at the apex of tentacle)
CSC, club sucker count
CSD, club sucker diameter (usually largest) [usually equivalent to LSD]
CW, club width
DC, dactylus club length
EC, egg count
ED, egg diameter
EL, "entire" length (end of tentacle(s), often stretched, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to WL, measured from end of arms to posterior tip of tail)
EyD, eye diameter
EyOD, eye orbit diameter
FL, fin length
FuCL, funnel cartilage length
FuCW, funnel cartilage width
FuD, funnel opening diameter
FuL, funnel length
FW, fin width
GiL, gill length
GL, gladius (pen) length
GW, gladius (pen) width
G(W), daily growth rate (%)
HC, head circumference
HeL, hectocotylus length
HL, head length (most often base of arms to edge of mantle)
HW, head width
LAL, longest arm length
LRL, lower rostral length of beak
LSD, largest sucker diameter (on tentacle club) [usually equivalent to CSD]
MaL, manus length
ML, dorsal mantle length (used only where stated as such)
MT, mantle thickness
MW, maximum mantle width (used only where stated as such)
NGL, nidamental gland length
PL, penis length
RaL, radula length
RaW, radula width
RL, rachis length
RW, rachis width
SInc, number of statolith increments
SL, spermatophore length
SoA, spermatophores on arms
SSL, spermatophore sac length
TaL, tail length
TC, tentacle circumference (most often of tentacle stalk)
TCL, tentacle club length
TD, tentacle diameter (most often of tentacle stalk)
TL, tentacle length
TSC, tentacle sucker count (club and stalk combined)
TSD, tentacle sucker diameter (usually largest)
URL, upper rostral length of beak
VML, ventral mantle length
WL, "whole" length (end of arms, often damaged, to posterior tip of tail; in contrast to EL, measured from end of tentacles to posterior tip of tail)
WT, weight
Institutional acronyms are primarily those defined by Leviton et al. (1985) and Leviton & Gibbs (1988). Where the acronym is unknown, the full repository name is listed.
AMNH, American Museum of Natural History, New York City, New York, United States
AMS, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
BMNH, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, England (formerly British Museum (Natural History))
CEPESMA, Museo-Aula del Mar, Coordinadora para el Estudio y la Protección de las Especies Marinas, Luarca, Spain
EI, Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, United States
FOSJ, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
ICM, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
MCNOPM, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Puerto Madryn (Museum of Natural Sciences and Oceanography), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
MHNLR, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, La Rochelle, France
MHNN, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (Musee Barla), Nice, France
MMF, Museu Municipal do Funchal, Funchal, Madeira
MNHN, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, Paris, France
MOM, Musée Océanographique, Monaco
MUDB, Department of Biology, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada
NIWA, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, New Zealand
NMI, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
NMML, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
NMNH, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
NMNZ, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand (formerly Colonial Museum; Dominion Museum)
NMSJ, Newfoundland Museum, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
NMSZ, National Museum of Scotland, Zoology Department, Edinburgh, Scotland (formerly Royal Museum of Scotland; formerly Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh)
NMV, Museum Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (formerly National Museum of Victoria)
NSMC, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, Canada
PASS, Peabody Academy of Science, Salem, Massachusetts, United States (now in Peabody Museum of Salem?)
RSMAS, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Florida, United States
SAM, Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, South Africa
SAMA, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, Australia
SBMNH, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, California, United States
VSM, NTNU Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, Trondheim, Norway (formerly Det Kgl. Norske Videnskabers Selskab Museet)
YPM, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
ZMB, Zoologisches Museum, Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
ZMMGU, Zoological Museum, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
ZMUB, Universitetet i Bergen, Bergen, Norway
ZMUC, Kobenhavns Universitet, Zoologisk Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
The number below each image corresponds to the specimen or sighting in the List of giant squid that the image depicts. The date on which the specimen was first captured, found, or observed is also given.
