list of giant squid specimens and sightings

Giant squid, Architeuthis sp., modified from an illustration by A.E. Verrill, 1880.

This list of giant squid specimens and sightings is a comprehensive listing of all recorded human encounters with members of the genus Architeuthis, popularly known as giant squid. It includes animals caught by fishermen, found stranded ashore, 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" compiled by Michael J. Sweeney, with additional information taken from other sources (see References).

For a list of unconfirmed giant squid sightings, see the list of dubious and uncertain giant squid sightings.

See also: List of Colossal Squid specimens and sightings

Number of specimens

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 break 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.

Note on size

Giant squid size, and particularly total length, has often been misreported and exaggerated. Reports of specimens reaching or even exceeding 18 metres (59 feet) in length are widespread, but no animals approaching this size have been scientifically documented. Such lengths were likely achieved by great lengthening of the two long feeding tentacles, analogous to stretching elastic bands (O'Shea, 2003).

Based on the examination of 105 specimens as well as beaks recovered from Sperm Whales, the giant squid is not known to attain a mantle length (ML) in excess of 2.25 m (7.4 ft) (O'Shea, 2003). Including the head and arms, but excluding the tentacles, Architeuthis very rarely exceeds 5 m (16 ft) in length (O'Shea, 2003). 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 caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles (O'Shea, 2003).

Giant squid exhibit sexual dimorphism. Maximum weight is estimated at 275 kg for females and 150 kg for males (O'Shea, 2003).

See also: Cephalopod size

List of giant squid

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. In cases where this is unknown, the date the specimen was first reported is listed instead and noted as such.
• Location – Area where the specimen was found. Given as it appears in the cited references, 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 references, 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 references. Listed chronologically if specimen was re-identified.
• Material cited – Original specimen material that was recovered or observed.
• 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 references (original units are preserved).
• 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.
• Cited references – Sources that provide specific data on a particular specimen.
• Additional references – Sources which merely refer to the specimen.
• Notes – Miscellaneous information.

Note: Names of anatomical features are retained from original sources (e.g. jaws may be given instead of the preferred beak).