November 2

Giant Squid Comes Ashore!

On this day in 1878, the largest giant squid ever measured was discovered at Thimble Tickle, Newfoundland. Three people working offshore noticed a large mass floating in the water. When they looked closer, they realized that the mass was a giant squid that had run aground in shallow water. The torpedo-shaped squid measured 6 meters from its tail to its beaklike mouth. Its tentacles measured 10.7 meters and were tipped by suckers 101.6 millimeters in diameter.

Giant squids are carnivorous mollusks with mouths strong enough to cut through steel cable, five pairs of arms, and the largest eyes in the animal kingdom (they can be almost half a meter in diameter).