Rare giant squid caught on video for the first time

Amazing video has emerged of a giant squid as it wrapped its tentacles around a camera probe 750 metres below the surface of US waters.

A giant squid has been caught on camera in US waters for the first time ever by researchers who were looking for creatures living in the “midnight zone” of the sea.

According to The Sun the squid was found 760 metres below the surface in complete darkness and can be seen attacking a probe, which was being used to draw any creatures towards the camera.

The scientists, who are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Journey into Midnight project, were using a specialised camera system called the Medusa.

This technology uses red light that is undetectable to sea creatures but allows the pitch black ocean to be illuminated enough for researchers to spot elusive animals and discover new ones.

The giant squid is seem approaching the camera probe through the dark water. Picture: Supplied/NOAA

The giant squid lashes its tentacles around the probe thinking that it might be food. Picture: Supplied/NOAA

The Medusa probe has a fake jellyfish attached to it, which mimicked the luminescent defence mechanism of a jellyfish and alerted creatures like the giant squid that a meal might be near by.

In 2006 south of Tokyo a research team succeeded in filming the giant squid live, using bait squid. Picture: AP

Rare footage like this excited the researchers but they had to rush back to shore to find a squid expert who could confirm they were looking at a giant squid.

After battling through a lightning strike and a storm, zoologist Michael Vecchione was able to confirm remotely that the footage was indeed of a giant squid about 10 to 12 feet long.

Edith Widder, one of the leaders of the expedition, said: “It’s got eight writhing arms and two slashing tentacles. It has the largest eye of any animal we know of, it’s got a beak that can rip flesh.

“It has a jet propulsion system that can go backwards and forwards, blue blood, and three hearts.

“It’s an amazing, amazing life form we know almost nothing about.”

Image made from video recorded in the summer of 2012, provided by NHK and Discovery Channel, a giant squid takes bait in the deep sea off Chichi island, Japan. Picture: AP Photo

This squid captured on video is thought to have been eight metres long and roams the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Picture: AFP

Filming a giant squid is notoriously difficult and it hasn’t been done since the first time a squid was caught on camera in its natural habitat in 2012.

This discovery occurred in deep sea near Japan and involved some of the same scientists using the Medusa probe.

RELATED: Divers pose with ‘monster’ squid

A 14ft giant squid washed up on a beach in New Zealand near Red Rocks, Wellington. Picture: Facebook.com/OceanHunterTeam

Brothers Daniel, Jack and Matthew Alpin found the creature near Red Rocks, Wellington. Facebook.com/OceanHunterTeam

This story first appeared in The Sun and is republished with permission.