A creature of myth and legend has been caught on camera in its natural habitat for the first time and it’s captured the attention and interest of local marine biologists.

The juvenile colossal squid was picked up on camera in stunning detail by researchers with the Schmidt Ocean Institute at a depth of close to 2,000 feet near the South Sandwich Islands.

The specimen caught on camera was a juvenile and only about a foot long, drawing great interest from researchers around the world including Memorial University.

Professor of Ocean Sciences and Biology at MUN, Paul Snelgrove says the images provide great insight into the animal’s life cycle.

He says part of the challenge in researching deep sea species is that very little is known about their reproductive biology. “Most of what we do know is from specimens that may be stranded on the beach , or occasionally an animal that’ s caught in a fishing line or other sort of equipment.” He says to see a live animal is quite unusual and “requires that you be in the right place at the right time.”