For centuries, the giant squid was considered nothing more than a sailor’s tall tale—a mythical sea monster lurking in the depths. But in 1873, a group of fishermen had a terrifying encounter that changed everything. Mistaking a massive object for a shipwreck, they soon realized it was a living creature when its long, serpentine tentacles wrapped around their boat. One fisherman struck the beast with an axe, sending it fleeing in a cloud of ink. This was the first definitive proof that giant squids were real, not just a legend.

So why did it take so long to find these elusive creatures? Dive into this fascinating video to explore the mysteries of the deep sea, the unique challenges of studying these giants, and what scientists have learned about their biology and behavior since that dramatic encounter over 150 years ago.