• First-ever live footage of a colossal squid captured at 1,968 feet in the South Atlantic.
• The juvenile squid measures approximately 30 cm (1 foot) long, much smaller than full-grown adults.
• The sighting occurred during a 35-day expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute.
• This filming coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the species' identification.
• Researchers aim to continue exploring the mysteries of ocean life, including capturing adult squids on camera.

A juvenile colossal squid was filmed for the first time in its natural habitat, approximately 1,968 feet below the surface of the South Atlantic Ocean, near the South Sandwich Islands. The footage was recorded on March 9 by an international team aboard the Falkor, a research vessel from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, during an expedition aimed at uncovering new marine life. This significant event marks 100 years since the species was first identified, according to BBC.

The captured squid was about 30 cm (11.8 inches) long, considerably smaller than full-grown adults, which can reach up to 7 m (23 ft) and weigh about 500 kg (1,100 lbs). The squid's juvenile phase is characterized by a transparent body, a feature that changes as they mature. Notably, the species has often been encountered only through remains found in the stomachs of predators, such as whales, according to CBS News.

This groundbreaking sighting highlights both the beauty and mystery of these elusive deep-sea creatures. "It's exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist," commented Dr. Kat Bolstad, an expert involved in verifying the footage. She and other researchers are hopeful that with advancements in technology, they can capture footage of adult squids in the future, as reported by Newsweek.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute, which organized the successful filming expedition, has been involved in significant marine research and has recorded several squid species over the years. This expedition lasted 35 days and aimed to document various marine life forms that remain largely unexplored, further emphasizing the deep ocean's mysteries, according to SFGate.