Coming to you from an Airbnb, above a ski hire shop, next to a construction site in Ushuia, Argentina… It’s a very special episode as we continue to pester Antarctica.

We are here for today is a very special birthday. Our favorite and most elusive colossal squid, Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, has been described for 100 years but never seen in its natural environment! We are having a birthday bash for the big girl.

Joined by Kat Bolstad of the Auckland University of Technology, Squid Squad, we learn what we do and don’t know, as well as the project Thom and Kat came up with to try to find it.

 

We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining, so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:

Luz, Caro Mclaren, Tadhg, Austin Horenkamp, Thora, Lindsey and Harrison

 

Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!

 

Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan’s beloved apron and a much anticipated new design... 

 

Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:

podcast@armatusoceanic.com

We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!

 

We are also on 

Twitter: @DeepSeaPod

Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast

Instagram: @deepsea_podcast

Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: 

Alan - @Hadalbloke

Thom - @ThomLinley 

Instagram: 

Thom - @thom.linley 

BlueSky:

Thom - @deepseapod.com

 

Follow Kat on 

Bluesky: @autsquidsquad.bsky.social

Twitter: @ALCESonline

Reference list
Interview

Original colossal squid description

Pure Ocean Fund

Intrepid Travel

Auckland Aquarium - SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium

Us testing the camera in the aquarium

Mantis Sub underwater housings

https://www.mantis-sub.com/

Otago University and the NZ Whale and Dolphin Trust

Importance in sperm whale diet

Colossal and giant squid eyes

Toothfish predation by colossal squid one and two

Whales vs squid arms race

Ceph Ref and GoFundMe

Glossery

Umwelt - the sensory world an animal lives in.

Intraspecific - between the same species

Interspecific - between different species 

 

Credits

Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel

Logo image: Thom Linley

Happy birthday: The guests aboard the Ocean Endeavour