4SEAS

In the depths of the basement of the Natural History Museum lies a tentacled giant. At a grand total of 8.62 meters long, this deep sea monster is our very own Giant Squid specimen, Architeuthis dux, and was the focus for this event with its curator, Jon Ablett. Jon works in the mollusc section of the zoology department, and is responsible not only for ‘Archie’ but also other squid, snails, and similar organisms. Archie is probably his most famous specimen though!

Jon told us about the different squid that can be found around British shores, and those nearby in other European seas. The variety is amazing, and they have some amazing properties, like the ability to alter their colour.  

So can you get the Giant Squid around the UK? Well, yes! There is evidence to suggest that they sometimes come into waters around Europe, but they are elusive creatures. Other squid can be spotted if you go diving, and sometimes the hard parts of these squid, like the beak, can end up on the beach when the rest has rotted away – something to look out for next time you are by the sea!