Scovone Star Magazine 2015-2016 | Page 49

The Deep-Sea Monster

them. Now scientists are trying new ways to find them. Long ago, the giant squid inspired very fascinating and interesting stories that may even be scary! Even in literature, giant squid have been thought as a sea monster! For example, if you go sailing, you might see one and think it’ s a monster. Because they are rarely seen, scientists don’ t know much about the giant squid. Because of that, they are rarely studied. Even if they were seen, the giant squid has never been seen near other animals, although they usually wash up on shores. That’ s how scientists usually study them.
Many scientists are still studying giant squid, and here is a quote from one of them. Research biologist Thomas P. Gilbert of Denmark says,“ Giant squid are an example of a species which are SO hard to study using normal methods, because of the facts that we only ever find them dead / dying, as those that are living deep in the ocean, thus very hard to get any information so I was attracted to the idea that using DNA methods we might be able to gain insights into them as a species. No one has caught them successfully when they attempt to. Most of them are simply found floating on the sea surface as they are dying or occasionally they wash up on beaches, or get caught in fishing nets.”
The mantle, radula, eyes, arms, and tentacles are all important parts of their body that can do amazing things. Living so deep below the water makes it so fascinating to learn more.
This is a giant squid being caught on camera by a diver.
Of course, giant squid are one of the largest animals in the sea. Can you believe how large they are? Being 60 ft long is as long as a bowling lane!
This is Thomas Gilbert, from Denmark. He is now a research biologist studying giant squid.
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