An incredibly rare deep sea giant squid, about 14ft long, was found washed up on the shores of Britannia Bay in South Africa.

Jaw-dropping footage was captured of the washed up deep sea beast by eye witnesses showing scale of the 440lb sea monster, which has a beak-like mouth where its tentacles meet.

Giant squid can grow up to 43 feet long, and their terrifying size is thought to have inspired belief in the existence of the kraken, a mythological sea monster.

The footage captured by the eye witnesses, shows the deep sea beast intact with a huge cone-shaped body, enormous eyes – the largest in the animal kingdom – and eight sprawling tentacles.

The large beak-like mouth is used by the marine giant to devour its diet of deep-sea fish and smaller squid species it pulls in with its strong tentacles.

It is very unusual to see a giant squid as the live more than 3,000ft below the surface of the ocean, but we are learning more about them thanks to increasingly sophisticated technology and creatures washed ashore.

Earlier this year the full genome of the mammoth creatures was sequenced for the first time and revealed it had high intelligence not far behind a human.

The mysterious squid, also known as Architeuthius dux, has eyes as big as dinner plates and tentacles that snatch prey from 10 yards away.

Marine biologists at Iziko Museums of South Africa were soon alerted to the giant squid washed ashore and are now preserving the 440lb specimen ready for future study.

Wayne Florence, curator of marine invertebrates, said it was 'rather astounding to see it in the flesh', when asked about the creature.

'We have had major public interest with many people being surprised that giant squid actually exist!'

At this point, it's unclear what led to the creature's demise, but scientists hope to closely study the 14-foot-long squid once coronavirus restrictions ease.

'The cause of death may only be known when we dissect the specimen, after the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted,' said Dr Florence.

'But the specimen was in very good physical condition so I think we can rule out something like trawl damage.

'The specimen is already in the museum holding freezer and we have done preliminary measurements and taken tissue samples for DNA analyses.'

He said the next move will be to bring in an expert squid scientist to dissect the creature and document it scientifically.

This will include studying its genetic makeup and looking for a deeper insight into exactly what caused it to become washed ashore.

After it is dissected and imaged, the squid will be preserved in ethyl alcohol for long term storage in the museum collection.

'We may even decide to put this one on display for the general public in an upcoming exhibition,' said Florence.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8414097/Beachgoers-stunned-14-foot-long-giant-squid-washed-shore-South-Africa.html

Bayelsa eeeeh!

"After it is dissected and imaged, the squid will be preserved in ethyl alcohol for long term storage in the museum collection"


Talk about true civilisation. If this had happened in one Particular West African country I won't mention , a whole multitude would be organising the sharing formula of the squid, dead or alive . "Divine provision" as they call it. SMH

E get luck say no be Nigeria, dem for no see him dead body snap picture.

Na the mark wey e leave for ground dem for dey see.

What

This one is lucky.....

Wow! This is massive!
In a situation like this, Bayelsa comes to mind

EzzyCarter:
"After it is dissected and imaged, the squid will be preserved in ethyl alcohol for long term storage in the museum collection"


Talk about true civilisation. If this had happened in one Particular West African country I won't mention, a whole multitude of would be organising the sharing formula of the squid, dead or alive . "Divine provision" as they call it. SMH

Say Nigeria, nobody will beat you. I doubt they'll be stupid enough to eat this one anyway.

SKhanmi:


Say Nigeria, nobody will beat you. I doubt they'll be stupid enough to eat this one anyway.

Ancient of the days

Some foolish Christians could quote me for using that phrase... No just try me o ...

Lol.... How come whales or sharks haven't eaten this squid??

If this had been Nigeria, the squid parts will be dancing in various peppersoup pots. In South Africa, it is for research purposes to study more about the marine life.

Peeps for wack this one even though dem no know the name

SKhanmi:


Say Nigeria, nobody will beat you. I doubt they'll be stupid enough to eat this one anyway.

What do u mean...


There is nothing we don't eat in this country...



We are basically consumers.....



As I am sure we ain't no producer

The squid made a nice destination choice to be South Africa... If the squid had mistakenly chosen nigeria Lala and descendants would have had a nice day mealing on it

...

I'm in shock!

If it is in Nigeria we would have preserved it well

SKhanmi:


Say Nigeria, nobody will beat you. I doubt they'll be stupid enough to eat this one anyway.

Some people in Nigeria will eat anything. Anyone that eats snakes, monkeys and gorilla will eat anything. So sad some people are that hungry.

Naija go chop am

if the squid find itself in any Nigerian Shore, na inside person pot u go dey see am

This is pepper soup ooo






I get spoons and plates � �� �




What's the sharing formula

Timbers

Booked

Some Nigerians looking at the location of google map like

Many years back, I fought a similar monster...