The elusive creature scientists filmed after an Antarctic iceberg broke away was a glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis). Schmidt Ocean Institute reports that its team recorded the squid alive in its natural environment on January 25, 2025, at 687 meters (2,254 feet) in the Bellingshausen Sea. The footage came from remotely operated vehicle SuBastian, deployed from the research vessel Falkor (too).
What did scientists film?
They filmed a glacial glass squid, a species of deep-sea squid. Schmidt Ocean Institute describes the encounter as the first confirmed footage of Galiteuthis glacialis alive in its natural environment. That wording matters: it identifies a milestone in observing the species alive in the wild, not the discovery of a previously unknown animal or proof that no specimen had ever been collected.
The footage was recorded at 687 meters (2,254 feet) in the Bellingshausen Sea. The institute dates the encounter to January 25, 2025, during an Antarctic expedition aboard Falkor (too), with SuBastian operating underwater. Schmidt Ocean Institute’s account of the glacial glass squid footage provides the identification and expedition details.
How did the iceberg calving lead to the encounter?
Iceberg A-84 broke away from the George VI Ice Shelf on January 13, 2025. The event exposed about 510 square kilometers (209 square miles) of seafloor that had been beneath the ice. The expedition team adjusted its plans to reach and explore this newly accessible area; the squid footage was one finding from its broader work in the Bellingshausen Sea.
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The calving did not cause the squid to appear, and the sighting does not establish that the entire newly exposed seabed was squid habitat. It gave researchers an opportunity to explore seafloor that people had not previously been able to access. The institute’s account of the A-84 calving and exposed ecosystem describes the area and the expedition’s observations.
Why do reports give different dates?
Schmidt Ocean Institute dates the glacial glass squid encounter to January 25, 2025. A separate Indian Defence Review report gives January 20. These accounts conflict; the primary expedition account is the basis for the January 25 date used here. The Indian Defence Review report is the source of the January 20 date.
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Is this the same squid as the colossal squid in other footage?
No. The glacial glass squid and colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) are different species filmed during separate encounters. Schmidt Ocean Institute also reported footage of a juvenile colossal squid on March 9 near the South Sandwich Islands. That animal was about 30 centimeters long and was filmed at 600 meters (1,968 feet); the glacial glass squid was filmed in the Bellingshausen Sea at 687 meters.
| Discovery | Species | Location and date | Reported depth | What “first” refers to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January expedition | Glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) | Bellingshausen Sea, January 25, 2025, according to Schmidt Ocean Institute | 687 meters (2,254 feet) | First confirmed footage of this species alive in its natural environment |
| Separate March observation | Juvenile colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) | Near the South Sandwich Islands, March 9, 2025 | 600 meters (1,968 feet) | First in situ footage of a juvenile colossal squid, as described by Schmidt Ocean Institute |
The institute’s expedition report covers the two observations. Keeping them distinct avoids mistaking the better-known colossal squid footage for the earlier glacial glass squid encounter.
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What the footage does—and does not—tell us
The sighting confirms that researchers obtained footage of a living glacial glass squid in its natural environment. It is a notable observation, but it does not by itself reveal how many of these squid live in the Southern Ocean or whether their abundance is changing. Schmidt Ocean Institute’s cited releases do not provide a population estimate or a quantified abundance trend for G. glacialis.
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- SOPHISTICATED DECORATIVE ACCENT: An ideal component for terrarium arrangements, tray gardens, or as a unique focal point in your craftwork. A distinctive gift for adults who appreciate fine craftsmanship and animal art.
- ONE-OF-A-KIND BY NATURE: As each figurine is handmade, slight variations in detail are inherent to the process. This ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike, making your collectible art piece truly unique.
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- SOPHISTICATED DECORATIVE ACCENT: An ideal component for terrarium arrangements, tray gardens, or as a unique focal point in your craftwork. A distinctive gift for adults who appreciate fine craftsmanship and animal art.
- ONE-OF-A-KIND BY NATURE: As each figurine is handmade, slight variations in detail are inherent to the process. This ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike, making your collectible art piece truly unique.
- CRITICAL WARNING: FOR ADULT COLLECTORS, AGES 15+ This product is a glass collectible intended for adults; IT IS NOT A TOY. Due to its fragile nature and small components, it must be kept out of reach of young children.
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